Lee Rawlinson, a 51-year-old marathon runner from Essex, UK, has been told he has terminal pancreatic cancer and just months to live. His diagnosis came on October 31, when doctors revealed the cancer had spread to his liver and was inoperable. Despite the shocking news, Lee still went trick-or-treating with his kids, Darcey, 10, and Marley, 7, that night.
The next day, Lee sat down with his family to explain the diagnosis. He admitted their lives had been turned upside down, but he’s focusing on making memories with them. One of the things Lee is doing is surprising his children with a trip to Lapland. He also wants to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer, a disease he calls “horrible,” to help others avoid the same fate.
Lee’s cancer journey began earlier in the year. In January, he started feeling a dull ache in his lower abdomen but dismissed it as stress. After seeing his GP, Lee was referred to a gastroenterologist, but there was a long 21-week wait. By September, the pain had become unbearable, and he was relying on painkillers every day. He described the pain as feeling like a scaffolding pole being pushed through his body.
After seeking medical attention at the emergency room, Lee had a CT scan and was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. The consultant explained that Lee hadn’t done anything to cause the cancer, and that it could simply be his “destiny.” Lee later learned his grandfather also had pancreatic cancer, which means he may have inherited a “dodgy gene.”
Lee urges anyone with unusual symptoms or pains to get checked out, stressing the importance of early detection. He hopes his story will encourage others to seek medical help sooner.
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