Panos was my oncology dietitian and was one of the first people I met once I had been diagnosed with this most heinous of diseases. He was fantastically tall with the most expressive of faces. Behind his flamboyant character, he was quite simply a lovely man - effusive and ebullient, full of warmth and wit. He would call me his 'role model patient' and I loved the way his endlessly long legs would bound down the corridor to see me followed by a big hug! When I said something silly, he would roll his huge brown eyes at me but his face would always light up when I had good scan results. He was constantly encouraging me to believe that I could live a good life with the illness. He meant a lot to me.Then one day, he wasn't there...nor the next week...or the week after. I knew that someone so dedicated to his patients wouldn't be away unless something was seriously wrong...Tragically, it was. I never got to say 'goodbye' to Panos, to give him one last hug, have one more giggle with him. It wasn't long before this cruel disease got the better of this kindest of men. What a hideous irony...
I am doing this auction in his memory. I know his spirit lives on and his legacy is how much difference he made to mine, and all his patients, lives. Rest peacefully my lovely friend.
Dina xxxxxx
