Rob Delaney opens up about 'heaviest pain in the world' after two-year-old son's death
Rob Delaney has explained how he and his family 'sank inside' themselves after his baby Henry was diagnosed with cancer.
"The heaviest pain in the world," is what Delaney and his wife Leah felt upon receiving the MRI results for Henry.
Henry's tumour was discovered on 27 April, 2016, the day after Delaney won a BAFTA award for co-writing Catastrophe.
In his new book, A Heart That Works, Delaney explained that the first symptoms of Henry's tumour arose when the little lad was 11 months old.
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He had been vomiting constantly and his worried parents decided to go and get him checked out and ultimately, it lead to 'a heartbreaking moment', as Delaney explains.
"After the MRI, Dr Anson confirmed that Henry had a large tumour in the back of his head, near his brain stem.
"He delivered the news calmly, and ended by saying a paediatric brain surgeon would come to see us within a few hours.
"Grief drove a bus through the part of my brain where memories are stored," he added.
It was an immensely difficult time for the whole family, as Delaney explained: "We sank inside ourselves. The heaviest pain in the world. I felt like I had suddenly quadrupled in weight, and an oily, black whirlpool began to swirl where my heart had been."
The family tried to find small semblances of joy where they could: "I lay with him, and Leah held him and danced with him. His brothers read to him and played with him.
"It was just the five of us in the house. Five people who loved each other and needed each other."
Henry, who underwent treatment for his cancer, tragically died at the age of just two.
Describing the moment the little one passed away, Delaney wrote: "Henry opened his eyes and looked into Leah’s eyes around five the next morning. Then he died."
The writer and actor took solace in being able to be with his son in his final moments: "I am so happy Henry died at home. I am so happy that he did so in the arms of his beautiful mother, who loved him desperately.
"I am so happy that he lay between us afterward and we could kiss and hold him and stroke his beautiful, long, sandy-blond hair."
Delaney's book, A Heart That Works is available for pre-order now and will be published 20 October.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week
Shola Lee