Debbie: You need to come home, Tom.

Tom: But why? I don't understand. We're in the middle of a competition, Mum. I can't just leave."

I never realized that we could lose him but I knew it must be serious because I know how much he would have hated for me to be called home from a diving event. She told me they had booked a flight and I needed to be at the airport in an hour.

Debbie: You need to, Tom. Your Dad, he's not got long left.

I swallowed hard.

Tom: How long has he got?

Debbie: They don't know if he'll last days, hours, maybe a week.

Tom: I'm coming.

I felt completely numb and unable to comprehend what she told me. I couldn't believe it was happening.