'We are sad but joyous for our amazing Lee' Dad, 30, loses his battle against stomach cancer.Byline: JOANNE DOUGLAS TRIBUTES have been paid to a "wonderful dad" who died of cancer. Lee Barker passed away on Sunday after battling stomach cancer. His loyal wife Kelly and baby daughter Emily were with him at the time. The 30-year-old, who grew up in Rastrick, had been at Overgate Hospice in Elland since the end of April when Emily was just three weeks old. His wife Kelly thanked staff at the hospice for allowing them to be a family unit in his last weeks. She said: "However sad we are feeling we can only be joyous joy·ous adj. Feeling or causing joy; joyful. See Synonyms at glad1. joy  ous·ly adv. for how amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. Lee was. "He touched so many people's lives and made sure our time together was special. "Though our time together was short I feel we lived a lifetime together. "Overgate allowed us to be with him, for him to be a wonderful dad to Emily, and for us to be together as a family, which is what he wanted." Lee had suffered pain long before he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in January last year. Earlier this year the Examiner told how he sought life-prolonging treatment in Mexico to give him more time with his family. Lee, a personal trainer, developed symptoms which were diagnosed in January 2008. He underwent surgery to remove 90% of his stomach and needed regular chemotherapy and daily oxygen. He had a period of remission but by late last year became unwell again and was told by doctors the cancer had spread to his bowel. Since then he married Kelly and welcomed baby daughter Emily into the world. The former Rastrick High School The Rastrick High School (and Sixth Form College) is a mixed-gender 11-18 comprehensive school in Rastrick, West Yorkshire. It was formed in 1985 following the merger of Rastrick Grammar and Reins Wood Secondary. The school's history can be traced back to 1621. pupil had to raise the money for the treatment to give him the extra time but his family and friends rallied round by holding a series of charity events. Kelly, a mental health nurse, added: "He had become unwell and had three operations. "He was in Overgate and we were there with him too. "They made it possible for us to be a family unit which I am thankful for. "They were absolutely amazing, they allowed us to be together." Kelly added: "I'll carry on all he did and raise awareness for other people in our situation. "For Overgate Hospice and all they did, but also for ward 12 at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary The Huddersfield Royal Infirmary is a hospital situated in the English town of Huddersfield. It is situated in the suburb of Lindley and provides general services, emergency services and some specialist services. - they were like family to us, they saw us as a family unit and did everything they could for us." His funeral will take place on Tuesday at 11am at St Matthews St. Matthews is the name of several places: In the United Kingdom:
Visit Lee's website www.leebarkerkickcancertrust.co.uk for more information about charity work in Lee's memory. CAPTION(S): TRIBUTE: Kelly Barker with husband Lee, who died on Sunday (PW070309Ftreatment-02) |
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