A father-of-two with terminal pancreatic cancer, who has months to live, wants to make magical memories with his family before his last Christmas. Lee Rawlinsonov (55) was diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer on Halloween after experiencing a dull ache in his lower abdomen, informs
The doctors told him that the cancer is inoperable as it has spread to his liver and he only has a few months to live. Lee went caroling that evening, and the next day he sat down with his children to tell them the news. Marley later asked if Daddy was going to heaven.
“I’m not afraid of death, I’m afraid of leaving my children and Faye behind and not being able to be with them,” describes Lee. Treatment and prevention of pancreatic cancer has barely improved since the 1970s, and that must change.
According to the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK it is the deadliest common cancer and currently more than half of people die within three months of diagnosis. Common symptoms include abdominal and back pain, unexplained weight loss and indigestion, loss of appetite, changes in bowel habits and jaundice. Despite this, the charity said 80% of people with pancreatic cancer are only diagnosed after the disease has spread.
Lee, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about a decade ago, learned that his grandfather had pancreatic cancer. If there are people who have relatives with pancreatic cancer, then they are at high risk.
After receiving the diagnosis, Lee decided he wanted to try everything he had been putting off until then. Lee and his family have since been invited to Wembley as VIP guests, have been asked to be Southend United’s mascots during their game against Forest Green Rovers and have also attended Arsenal’s game against Crystal Palace.
Lee said the community had come together and been incredibly generous, organizing quizzes and other events in his honour, and the family’s next adventure would be a trip to Lapland. “The kids have never been on a plane before, so they’ll fly for the first time, they’ll look out the window and see snow, and I’ll watch their reaction,” Lee said. “Thanks to such sad circumstances, we live our best lives.”
In addition to spending time with family, Lee is focused on raising awareness of pancreatic cancer and the need to fund research aimed at early detection and improved treatment. He urges people who have any unusual symptoms or pain to get checked out.
