David Davies, 44, from Shrewsbury, didn’t think too much of his symptoms at first. The dad-of-three just thought he was feeling “under the weather” with a virus.
However, the 44-year-old, who previously worked as a technician at Mercedes Benz, received “heartbreaking” news after he went to see a doctor. He was diagnosed with incurable throat cancer.
His oldest son, Jack Davies, 17, told Express.co.uk that his first symptoms were difficulty swallowing, a lump on the side of his neck, and a hoarse voice.
These red flags prompted the dad to go for an emergency appointment on January 26. From there, the doctors quickly referred him to the head and neck department as they suspected the lump in his neck was cancerous.
A series of tests, ranging from endoscopy to MRI scans, confirmed the diagnosis of throat cancer. But that wasn’t the end of the dad’s ordeal.
After receiving this already devastating news, the 44-year-old’s consultant wanted him to have a PET scan. Sadly, this revealed that his cancer had spread from his head and neck to his right iliac lymph nodes, becoming incurable.
Jack said: “When my dad attended his first appointment with the head and neck consultant, he was quite positive about the fact he could be treated with a course of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery to remove the affected tonsil.
“[But] when he heard the news that his cancer is now incurable, he felt like his whole world had ended. [He was] angry, [and] confused; and felt like he was now unable to have the future and retirement he had always hoped for.”
The dad’s cancer was initially supposed to be treated with three cycles of induction chemotherapy and then radiotherapy, but he is now being moved to a palliative course of treatment with immunotherapy.
In the hope to slow the spread of the cancer, David started this immunotherapy course which will last for up to two years on Monday, March 25.
His son added: “He now feels he has been given a little added time with the hope that immunotherapy will suppress the cancer and stop it spreading any further and hopefully will give him a bit more time.
“We hope this gives us time as a family to create memories and moments we can cherish. We are trying to remain positive.
“Cancer has already taken so much away from us and we are determined it doesn’t take away the love, laughter and happiness that holds us together as a family.”
The 17-year-old has set up a fundraiser for his dad on GoFundMe to relieve some of the financial pressures that his family have been faced with during this difficult time. Due to his diagnosis, the dad is no longer able to work and his wife, Rebecca Davies, 38, will also lose her income as she will become his full-time carer.
Jack penned for the fundraiser: “He is the most kind, caring and supportive person I have met and to see him go through this diagnosis and to come to terms with this has been very tough.
“I want him to see this support of others as not only the negative burdens of his diagnosis are affecting him, but he also is feeling the pressure in a financial way.”
You can visit and donate to the GoFundMe page here.
While the signs and symptoms of throat cancer depend on the specific type you have, Rachel Rawson, Lead Cancer Nurse at Perci Health, outlined the possible red flags to be aware of for Express.co.uk:
- A lump in the neck that does not go away
- Sore throat that does not get better
- Difficulty swallowing that is not improving, you might feel like there is something stuck in the throat
- Changes to your voice, such as hoarseness for more than three weeks.
The cancer nurse warned that the symptoms can be often mistaken for less serious conditions, making seeking medical advice vital.
She added: “The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful. So, it is important that you go to your GP as soon as possible if you notice worrying symptoms.”