John Robertson, a 35-year-old father of three from Ayr, Scotland, has been diagnosed with stage four oesophageal adenocarcinoma after experiencing difficulty swallowing food. The cancer has spread to multiple organs, and he has been given just nine months to live.
Diagnosis and Symptoms
In February, John began struggling to swallow food, losing three stone in two and a half months and suffering unbearable chest pain. He visited his GP and was fast-tracked for an endoscopy, which revealed a bleed and a tumour covering approximately 75 per cent of his oesophagus. The cancer has since spread to his lungs, throat, right adrenal gland, and liver, according to the Daily Record.
John, a glazier, described the diagnosis as "the most devastating, world-crushing news." He said, "My world fell apart. My kids don't deserve to lose their dad so young. I want to watch them grow up and guide them through life."
Impact on Family
John and his wife Nicole, 29, have been together for 11 years and have three children: Jorja, 15, Paris-Cole, eight, and Clay-Ty, four. John is heartbroken at the thought of missing milestones. "To know I might not be here to walk my daughters down the aisle or watch my son grow into the gentleman he is already becoming is heartbreaking," he said. "A future with my wife has been stolen from me."
Despite his appearance of health, John said, "I refuse to believe that my time is almost over." He was fit and active before the diagnosis, and doctors have noted that his bloods, liver function, and heart rate remain good.
Medical Details and Treatment
Doctors told John it was unlikely the cancer could have been caught earlier, as symptoms appeared late, and he may have had the tumour for years. He is now on an all-liquid diet and is due to begin chemotherapy, with a feeding tube a possibility. He recalled the endoscopy: "I remember seeing a pool of blood in my throat on the screen during the endoscopy. The doctor's face dropped."
Fundraising and Making Memories
John has launched a fundraising campaign to cover private treatment and clinical trials not currently available on the NHS. He is awaiting responses for trials in Germany and London. The funds will also help create lasting memories with his family. "We're trying to cram a lifetime of experiences into a few months," he said. "I'm writing cards and recording video messages for my family to cover birthdays and other celebrations. I want them to know I will still be there with them through every milestone."
