Luke Ashton
Christmas day 2006 began much as any other day, with the familiar
routine of dog walking and a hurried, rather cursory tidying up.
I recall stuffing the Telegraph colour supplement under the chaise,
thinking that the cover feature on the effects of melting ice caps on
Polar bears had to be read, but was too sad for Christmas. I was wholly
ignorant of the tragedy that was about to envelop my family before the
day was through. My second son Luke slumbered on as I left for work as a
District nurse in Ramsey, Isle of Man. Luke opened his presents in his
room, and then spent the afternoon walking with his grandfather and the
dogs.
When I returned in the evening, the family enjoyed the festive dinner,
during which my older son and his girlfriend arrived. Luke decided to
change his plans and spend the night at his friends as the 3 of them had
plans to head away on a plane the next day.
I kissed him
goodbye, and he waved happily from the back of the car, excited to be
off travelling the next day.
The nightmare
that followed will haunt all of us who were involved on that fateful
night. Luke and his friend Luis had a turkey sandwich and a can of beer
with Luis parents before settling down to watch TV.
Several minutes later Luke slumped unconscious to the floor, and despite
the best efforts of Luke’s friends parents (both medical) and the
paramedics, Luke remained asystolic.
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 Luke’s
brother Bruce who was staying locally, arrived during these events, and held
his brothers hand. Rapid communication was taking place by mobile phone and
unusually it was Luke’s father in England (a Physician) who took the
agonising decision to call off the resuscitation attempt at the scene, as
Luke had by now been asystolic for almost half an hour.
Luke’s heart was sent for examination to Dr Mary
Sheppard, who considers that the problem of sudden cardiac death is hugely
underestimated, although only some of these predisposing conditions are
currently detectable, and therefore potentially preventable. Luke’s heart was on
examination entirely normal.
Over this tremendously difficult year the family has
received kindness, help, and support in many different ways large and small from
so many people, and we are grateful to all who have made contributions in Luke’s
memory much of which has, and is, being donated to CRY.
Luke and I had a memorable conversation as we
floated down the Nile on what was undoubtedly the highlight of our many trips
and travels. It was during this journey that Luke told me of his hopes to study
International Politics and modern History at university. He said that he was not
seeking material wealth, but had hopes of an “interesting life”. The inscription
on Luke’s memorial bench reads:
” There is only one true form of wealth that of
human companionship. Nothing in truth can ever replace a lost companion”.
Kerry Ashton
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