The 28-year-old’s fears that his abdomen pains had been an indication of one thing sinister had been reportedly dismissed by medical doctors.
The dad-of-one stated his well being fears had been dismissed by GPs (Picture: Courtesy of Mary Cooper / SWNS)
A dad was left in shock when his crippling abdomen pains, linked by a GP to “consuming too many fizzy drinks”, turned out to be a uncommon and incurable type of most cancers. Tom Hayman, 28, was informed he was in all probability affected by acid reflux disease after quite a few journeys to the physician with complaints of months-long ache and speedy weight reduction. However scans later revealed the true trigger – a neuroenocrine tumour that had begun in his pancreas and unfold to his liver.
The plumber, from Warrington, Cheshire, who started feeling unwell in summer season 2024, claims his signs had been repeatedly brushed apart. Tom stated he was “fobbed off” throughout every go to and informed there was “nothing to fret about”. He additionally recounted a GP telling him he was “too younger to have most cancers”.
The younger household are fundraising for Tom’s most cancers remedy in Germany (Picture: Courtesy of Mary Cooper / SWNS)
His fiancee Mary Cooper, 28, stated the GP even laughed on the suggestion of most cancers regardless of seeing a “dramatic and alarming” change in Tom.
She added: “He is a 6ft 5ins lad who loves his meals – however rapidly, it was like he began forgetting to eat. He simply did not need meals. If he did eat, he’d get actually unhealthy abdomen pains. He additionally began to lose lots of weight.”
Regardless of fearing that one thing was critically fallacious, Tom spent round six months going backwards and forwards to his GP surgical procedure with no solutions.
Mary stated: “They had been simply fobbing us off with issues like ‘you drink too many fizzy drinks’. The physician thought it was acid reflux disease, however this was coming from his liver space. I knew it wasn’t proper for him to be doubled over in ache.
“Tom was anxious it was one thing sinister – however the physician laughed and stated he would not have most cancers at his age.”
She claims the GP solely steered that Tom endure scans at Warrington Hospital as a result of he appeared so anxious – however the findings modified all the things.
The couple had been informed a day later that one thing had been discovered on his liver and additional assessments in London confirmed the prognosis of a neuroendocrine tumour that had already unfold, together with a blood clot on Tom’s liver.
The 28-year-old was referred to the Clatterbridge Most cancers Centre in Might 2025 and has been researching remedy choices ever since.
“Tom felt like he was not being listened to and nearly mocked,” Mary stated. “Listening to the phrase most cancers was overwhelming. It was all a little bit of a blur. I am unable to clarify the sensation. It was simply unhappiness and anger. There was a wave of feelings.
“You consider the long run and shopping for a home, getting married, having extra kids – however you are asking whether or not this stuff are ever going to occur.”
With no remedy out there within the UK, the household’s hopes now lie abroad in Germany, the place medical doctors supply dendritic cell remedy, a type of immunotherapy designed to assist the physique struggle most cancers.
The couple have launched a fundraiser aimed toward producing £50,000 to cowl medical charges, journey, lodging, and time away from work whereas Tom focuses on getting higher.
Mary stated their son Ronnie, 4, is unaware of the seriousness of his dad’s sickness – however senses when one thing is fallacious.
The day’s greatest headlines in UK and World information Subscribe Invalid e mail
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you have consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This will likely embody adverts from us and third events primarily based on our understanding. You may unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
“He would not know what’s taking place, however he has seen when Tom’s not unwell, which upsets him,” she added. “We’re simply attempting to maintain life as regular as potential for him.”
The pair hope that sharing Tom’s story will elevate consciousness in regards to the situation – notably amongst younger folks whose signs could also be ignored.
Leave a Reply