Andrew Fairclough, 62, from Wallasey, was told by doctors that his oesophageal cancer had returned and was terminal, after he began struggling to keep his food down. The devastating news came in the first week of September, and doctors believe he has around a year left to live.
Family's shock at terminal diagnosis
Andrew, who served in the British Army when he was younger, has three other children and six grandchildren. His health issues began two years ago when he started experiencing reflux, as well as difficulty eating and swallowing. It transpired he had oesophageal cancer, the organ which connects the mouth to the stomach. Symptoms can include feeling sick, pain while swallowing, and unexplained weight loss.
Andrew had chemotherapy and surgery. Although he was never officially put in remission, his symptoms became less prominent. However, after feeling unwell again, a scan revealed the cancer had returned, was more aggressive, and had spread to his stomach lining.
His daughter Gemma, 37, told the ECHO: "He started feeling unwell again. He was losing weight continuously, struggling to keep food down." Around the time of his last operation, Andrew reached 11 and a half stone, but he is now down to about nine stone.
Bucket list and family support
Gemma said: "We went back to the doctors. They put him through another scan and then we had the results not long afterwards. He sat down with the doctor and was told it was back, it was more aggressive and it had spread to his stomach lining." She added: "My dad thought, 'okay, so we're gonna go through chemo again.' But then the doctor said, 'no, it is terminal.' He was given 12 months - that's initially what the doctor told him."
Gemma said the family is still in shock: "I think we're all still coming to terms with it. It was absolutely devastating." The family has tried to keep positive by helping Andrew tick off his bucket list. He has previously jumped out of helicopters and raced around tracks in cars capable of high speeds. Some intense activities have been ruled out, but others, such as a trip on a zip line and more drives in fast cars, are on the table.
Gemma said: "We've come to the realisation it could be his last Christmas. His birthday is in January. We want to make everything extra special." At the time of writing, over £1,170 has been raised in a GoFundMe for the family. Gemma said: "It's absolutely fantastic. People have been so generous, and anyone that knows my dad knows what a wonderful man he is. No one's ever had a bad word to say about him, so everyone wants to help. We understand it's a difficult time for people, so seeing that money there, it has definitely brought a few tears to the eye."
