4 days ago
Man struggled to eat sandwich at work and only has six months to live
Des Longstaff was diagnosed with stage four cancer that spread from his windpipe to his liver.
A tragic dad who was diagnosed with stage four cancer after struggling to eat a sandwich at work has been told he'll be dead in the next six months.
Des Longstaff, 40, from Blackpool, was being treated for an aggressive stage four oesophageal adenocarcinoma, which spread from his windpipe to his liver. But, sadly treatment has now stopped and the courageous father is now sharing his story one final time to raise awareness about the cruel disease.
His story rocked the nation earlier this year, after he revealed to us the simple act of eating a sandwich led to his devastating diagnosis, reports the Mirror.
In a devastating health update, he explained: "I have about six months to live. I was told yesterday. I have had a tough life and I genuinely would do anything for anyone. I am still trying to help people out now. I don't feel poorly. But I won't be having any more treatments.
"I will die with dignity. I put up a good fight, I never lost a fight yet but this time is different. I'm not scared of dying, I just don't want to leave the people that need me still.
"I am ready for death now. I hope that people can still donate to my son's GoFundMe so he can get his life together without this daddy who loves him so very much. I fought for him until the day I died I suppose.
"I'm sorry I let everyone down but thank you so much for the support. I hope you all remember me this way."
Oesophageal cancer affects the oesophagus, the tube that carries food from people's throat to their stomach, and according to the NHS, it mainly impacts people in their 60s and 70s, and is more common in men.
Symptoms of the disease can include difficulty swallowing, indigestion, loss of appetite and weight, pain in your upper tummy, chest or back or bringing up food soon after eating.
For Des, who is a landscape gardener, he first realised something wasn't right with his body while at work one day.
Speaking to Reach PLC earlier this year, he said: "I am a landscaper by trade and I was doing a job for one of my friends and his partner had made me a bacon and sausage sandwich. When I was eating it – I hadn't put any sauce on or anything – it sort of got lodged in my oesophagus and I had a good pint of water but it still wouldn't budge.
"It was to the point where you're thinking you're choking. I thought to myself, 'Am I not chewing it properly?"
Des went to a doctor and an endoscopy was recommended – but he threw up blood and noticed more blood in his stool before this happened.
After going to the hospital, a 35cm tumour was discovered in his lower oesophagus on Christmas Eve. It was hoped that keyhole surgery would remove the tumour but another scan revealed it has spread to his liver.
Cancer Research UK states that advanced stage four esophageal adenocarcinoma, which means the cancer has spread from the food pipe to other areas of the body, usually cannot be cured..
Des had been fundraising to go to Germany for alternative treatments so he could see his little boy, five, grow up, but he has been told he is now too poorly.
He emphasised the brutality of his previous treatment, saying immunotherapy and chemotherapy made him feel 'more sick than the cancer'.
Des also said he has suffered extreme stress in his personal life away from his health battle which he believes progressed his condition. Giving a brief summary, he simply said: 'I've been through hell.'
And in a poignant recent post on social media, he wrote: "The king and the little prince. He's going to be the king. He will do it better than I. My spirit will live in him always. My love of life he is."
