A wave of emotion has swept through Melbourne’s Greek and Cypriot community following a deeply personal Facebook post by respected community member Kostas Socratous.
Writing from his hospital bed on Monday, Mr Socratous told friends and relatives that his doctors have given him only a few days to live.
“On the first day of my latest admission, my doctors told me I had two days of life. Then it became five. And now, as they tell me, we have three days left,” he wrote.
Mr Socratous shared openly about his health struggles, explaining that he has long battled thyroid problems.
“We fought the thyroid for six years twice we beat it, but this time it broke me,” he said.
With clarity and acceptance, he added: “My doctors and my children have told me openly that I have no hope. All my organs have been infected, there is no return.”
He expressed gratitude for the support he has received over the years, while gently asking people not to send him wishes for recovery.
“In this case, those do not apply. It would be better if you said to me ‘good paradise’. And I am very content,” he wrote, noting that he plans to permanently close his Facebook profile on Wednesday.
The post has already drawn dozens of heartfelt messages from friends and relatives, many refusing to accept the prognosis and hoping the doctors are wrong, while others have followed his wish and written “καλό παράδεισο” (good paradise).
Speaking with Neos Kosmos after his post, Mr Socratous said with deep emotion:
“I have only a few days of life, and I wanted to let everyone know.”
Mr Socratous is a father of four daughters and a grandfather of six grandchildren. He has been a prominent figure in Melbourne’s Cypriot community, known for his active involvement and support of community life.
This story is published with Mr Socratous’s full consent and reflects the words and sentiments he chose to share publicly. Out of respect for his privacy, Neos Kosmos is not republishing medical details beyond those he has disclosed himself.
