Stephen was always looking on the Bright Side of Life (From Warrington Guardian)

Stephen was always looking on the Bright Side of Life

5:00pm Thursday 24th May 2012 in News

THE family of a 23-year-old who died after losing his two-year battle with bone cancer have paid tribute to the ‘strongest person they ever knew’.

Stephen Frost died earlier this month after tumours in his spine spread to his lungs.

Mum Jo, aged 39, said her son never stopped believing he could beat the disease despite suffering crippling pain which meant he could not walk.

She said: “He was very positive all the way through and very brave. I think he accepted what was going to happen but he never gave up.”

An appeal through the Warrington Guardian in 2010 helped raise £5,000 for the former Birchwood High School pupil to undergo proton therapy in America.

The treatment stabilised the cancer but six months after returning to Warrington the pain began to grow again.

Grandma Lynn, of Keswick Crescent, Orford, said: “It was devastating – we thought he was on his way to recovery.”

Stephen, cousin to fallen soldier and Latchford man Private Daniel Wade, continued to have chemotherapy after three more tumours were discovered.

But by the start of 2012 therapy had ceased to have an effect and all doctors could do was manage the pain.

A tumour at the bottom of his spine had grown to such a size he could feel it through his back.

“I remember him lying on my floor, not able to get up and I said nobody should have to go through that much pain,” said Lynn.

But the former Oakwood Avenue Primary School pupil continued to fight and had a bungalow waiting for him in Bentham Avenue, Birchwood.

Friends had decorated it and put in a new carpet but Stephen never got to see it.

He was admitted to St Rocco’s in April and after three weeks the cancer spread to his lungs.

Stephen died on May 6 with family at his bedside.

His funeral took place at Walton Lea Crematorium on Monday, packed with friends and relatives.

Favourite song The Message by Dr Dre started the ceremony while guests left to Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life by the cast of Monty Python.

Jo said: “People would say he was the strongest lad they ever met. Maybe not physically, but he had this inner strength. He had lots of that.”