“He knows, better than anyone, that if he’d been diagnosed just a few months later, he might not have been here to tell his story.”

As I sit here writing this, I can’t help but reflect on everything my dad has been through over the past two years. His journey has been one of unimaginable challenges, but also of incredible strength, resilience, and hope. It’s a journey I never thought we’d have to take, but one I’m grateful we’re still walking together today. 

My dad, Peter, is a 58-year-old Glaswegian who’s always been full of life. A proud father of two, devoted partner to Marie, and a taxi driver who knew every street, corner, and shortcut of Glasgow, Dad had always been active and strong. He was someone who believed in staying healthy – a regular at the gym and someone who made significant changes to his health after the passing of his mum in 2021, losing four stone in weight. 

Life was settling into a new routine for him. He was feeling better than ever, both physically and mentally. But everything changed in early 2023 when he started experiencing persistent pain in his left side. The pain wasn’t intense at first, but it was constant, and it made him feel something was wrong. For months, he went from doctor to doctor, undergoing endless tests and ultrasounds, but nothing seemed to explain the discomfort he was in. 

The uncertainty of it all was starting to take its toll on him – emotionally as much as physically. And then, just two days before a long-awaited holiday, Dad was rushed to the hospital with excruciating stomach pains. Doctors initially suspected gallstones, but when they found he was also showing signs of jaundice, they quickly realised something more serious was at play. 

It was during this time that my dad, always so steady and strong, began to feel the weight of fear and uncertainty. And then, after months of waiting, the devastating news came. 

A tumour had been found on his bile duct and pancreas. 

Hearing those words felt like the ground beneath me had been ripped away. How could this be happening? To my dad? A man who had always been so full of life? But as hard as it was to process, we all had to face it together. 

Despite the overwhelming diagnosis, Dad was told that he was a candidate for a Whipple procedure, a major surgery that would give him a fighting chance. But the decision wasn’t easy. The alternative was a stent, which would help alleviate symptoms but wouldn’t address the tumour. Dad chose the surgery. He knew it would be life-altering, but he didn’t hesitate. He wanted to fight, and he wanted to be there for all of us. 

On July 31st, 2023, Dad went into surgery at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow. The procedure itself was a success, but the real battle was just beginning. The recovery process was long, painful, and gruelling. For months, he was in and out of the hospital, managing everything from infections to the physical toll of healing. But through it all, he never lost hope. 

Dad was surrounded by a team of incredible doctors and nurses, particularly his consultant, Miss Coats, whose unwavering support gave him the strength he needed to push through. I can’t tell you how much it meant to see how dedicated they all were. 

But recovery wasn’t just about getting his body back to where it needed to be. After the Whipple procedure, the impact on his digestion was severe. He had to adapt his diet, cutting out certain foods and drinks that didn’t agree with him. Chocolate, alcohol, fizzy drinks – all things he used to enjoy – had to be eliminated, and even the thought of pizza or takeaway made him feel miserable. His body was adjusting to life without parts of his pancreas, small intestine, and other vital structures. The surgery had saved his life, but it also meant constant vigilance. 

For six months, Dad underwent chemotherapy. The physical toll was brutal, but what struck me most was his attitude. He never once complained. He stayed grateful for the second chance he had been given and always kept a positive outlook, even on the hardest days. 

Now, 17 months after his surgery, Dad is doing remarkably well. He continues to have regular scans and blood tests, all of which have been positive. Every good result feels like another victory in this battle. 

This journey has changed him in ways I never expected. He is more determined than ever to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer and the importance of early diagnosis. He knows, better than anyone, that if he’d been diagnosed just a few months later, he might not have been here to tell his story. 

In support of Pancreatic Cancer Action, Dad helped launch the ‘Give It Up for PanCan’ campaign this January. The idea was simple: give up something you love for 31 days to raise awareness and funds for pancreatic cancer. Dad has had to cut out some of the things he used to enjoy, and as difficult as it is for him, he knows it’s a small sacrifice to make to feel well.  

Dad is determined to make a difference, and I couldn’t be prouder of him. Every day is a reminder of how precious life is, and how important it is to never take a single moment for granted. 

Because if there’s one thing my dad’s journey has taught me, it’s that hope is everything. And that, no matter what life throws your way, there is always a reason to keep fighting.