Chris Capstick, a 41-year-old father from Bromborough, was diagnosed with stage four melanoma after what he initially thought was an insect bite on his holiday in Greece turned out to be cancerous.
Misdiagnosed as a cyst
For six months, Chris visited his GP practice as the mark kept changing colour, with doctors repeatedly telling him it was a harmless cyst. Speaking to the ECHO, Chris said: "I got married in Greece and that's when we noticed the 'insect bite'. Doctors told me it was a cyst."
After the growth was removed in February 2023, Chris received the devastating diagnosis of stage four melanoma with just a 15% chance of survival. He was sitting with his pregnant wife Lauren when he received the news.
Cancer returns
Despite undergoing immunotherapy and briefly being cancer-free, six tumours were later found on Chris's brain with another six in his body. Chris said: "I was given 10 to 12 months to live. It was a massive shock for me and the family."
Daughter's book as legacy
Amidst this challenging time, his six-year-old daughter Isabella has written a children's book titled "Daddy's Little Monsters" to help other children understand a parent's serious illness. The book has raised over £630 to support its distribution to cancer centres and hospices across the UK.
Chris, who has three young children with Lauren, sees the book as part of his legacy. He said: "It would mean everything (to have the book across the UK). It's my legacy in a way."
