When Gerard began to be seriously ill, he insisted: “I don’t want to leave you with a mess to clear up.” He was dependent on frequent blood transfusions. A controversial antibiotic used to treat a serious lung infection had destroyed his mountaineer’s sense of balance. Walking, even with a crutch, was difficult and painful. He had signs of prostate cancer. Cardiac decompensation was making him increasingly breathless.
Read The Guardian article …