A superfit Scots dad died after his runners hip turned out to be stage 4 lung most cancers.
Michael Cain, 59, was at his native operating membership when he felt a ache in his hip in April 2021.
The marathon runner had an X-Ray at Victoria Hospital in Fife which uncovered a tear and he was suggested to relaxation.
One month later the ache grew to become so extreme he was introduced in for a CT scan the place medics discovered a 7cm tumour on his lung which had additionally unfold to his hip.
Michael, a devoted ambulance paramedic, misplaced his courageous three-year-fight with terminal most cancers in April this yr.
His devastated widow Rebecca has shared her husband’s story in a bid to interrupt the stigma that “solely people who smoke get lung most cancers”.
Rebecca, 56, stated: “Michael was a non-smoker and at all times stored match.
“He was a part of a operating group and ran the Kirkcaldy half marathon.
“He had gone to work at A&E and talked about it to an on-call physician who discovered a tear in his hip.
“He was instructed to relaxation and it started to heal – we thought it might be the top of it.”
The Kirkcaldy dad started struggling to stroll and was referred for additional scans which tragically uncovered stage 4 lung most cancers.
Shortly after his lung collapsed and he spent every week in hospital.
Rebecca continued: “Michael was in disbelief and I used to be devastated.
“After some tears we determined we’d combat it head-on.
“He was so courageous and simply stated he would do what it takes to be right here longer with me and our 21-year-old son Evan.
“He had a hip alternative earlier than he began on most cancers development blocker Afatanib for 15 months in November 2021.
“In February 2023 we had been instructed the tumour had unfold to his mind and would want chemotherapy.”
In a tragic accident Rebeca, who works on the chemotherapy unit within the hospital the place the couple first met 40 years in the past, needed to watch her husband are available for remedy.
She stated the expertise turned her life the wrong way up.
“It was arduous seeing him sitting within the chair getting his chemotherapy.
“It fully floored him and I believed we had been going to lose him.
“He picked himself up from all-time low. He at all times had a optimistic angle.
“He at all times seemed ahead, by no means again.
“In December 2023 we had been instructed the most cancers was nonetheless spreading however he continued to combat his illness with such bravery and dedication.”
In February this yr Michael started to indicate indicators of mind metastases and suffered seizures earlier than he sadly handed away.
Greater than 500 individuals turned out for the loving dad’s funeral together with employees from the Scottish Ambulance Service who gave Michael a guard of honour.
Collectively his family members raised £1341 for Roy Fortress Lung Most cancers Basis in his honour.
Rebecca’s want now’s that the money will assist extra individuals get screened for lung most cancers.
She added: “Charities like this are vital for elevating consciousness of the indicators and signs for everybody, not simply people who smoke. Michael didn’t have any signs till it was too late.”
Signs of lung most cancers embody a cough that doesn’t go away, chest ache, shortness of breath and coughing up blood.
There are round 34,000 lung most cancers deaths within the UK yearly.
To learn extra concerning the basis, click on right here.
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