A DAD has tragically died just weeks after discovering his body was riddled with cancer.
Jamie Thompson, 37, went to A&E in early November after experiencing some pain in his stomach.
Jamie Thompson, 37, tragically passed away in NovemberEvening Gazette
Evening GazetteJamie (pictured) with best pal Amy Milburn (pictured)[/caption]
Following some tests, Jamie, who was born in Stockton but lived in Middlesbrough, was diagnosed with stomach, lung and chest cancer on November 3.
Jamie’s best friend Amy Milburn, who was with him for his diagnosis said his “whole entire world came crashing down around him” at that moment, adding that his “heart literally broke.”
Amy, who previously lived next door to the dad, said: “Jamie was lovely, a really lovely guy – he always put everyone before himself.
“He could’ve been feeling the worst he’s ever felt but if you messaged him and said you were in a bad place then he would always be there for you.”
She said: “He always had a smile on his face, no matter what was going on in his life”
But according to the cleaning company owner, it was Jamie’s five-year-old daughter Melody-Rose, who “was his absolute world”.
“He lived and breathed for her,” she explained.
However, just two weeks later Jamie was rushed back to hospital again after he was unable to get his sickness under control.
He was sent for another scan which revealed the mass on his stomach had grown significantly.
Amy, who had accompanied Jamie to the hospital, said the dad then began experiencing numbness on his left-hand side, but that his sickness appeared to be under control.
The 5 cancer symptoms you should never ignore
Cancer is more treatable the earlier it is discovered.
Sadly 450 people die of cancer every day in the UK, and thousands more worldwide.
The NHS says: “It’s important to be aware of any new or worrying symptoms.
“Although it’s unlikely to be cancer, it’s important to speak to a GP so they can investigate.”
There are over 200 different types of cancer, according to Cancer Research UK, and each has a different set of symptoms.
While some may be specific to the type of cancer, there are a handful that are more general.
The charity says general cancer symptoms – those that may appear among all patients – are:
Unexplained pain
Very heavy night sweats
Unexplained weight loss
An unusual lump or swelling
Fatigue
Just hours later, the dad-of-one went into cardiac arrest after suffering a subarachnoid haemorrhage – a bleed on the brain.
Now Amy is trying to raise money by setting up a GoFundMe for Jamie, which at the time of writing had raised over £1,000.
She said: “He put me down as his next of kin in the hospital and we had spoken about his funeral – not in great detail – but we spoke about it because it is always an outcome when cancer is mentioned.
“I’m trying my best to give him the send-off that he deserves.”
The fundraiser paid read: “This has been one of the hardest things for his friends and family to go through.
“I want to make sure his legacy lives on and [that] he can still provide for his little girl even after he has gone. Thank you for taking the time to read this and also donating.
“Rest in paradise, Jamie,” she added.