Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dad Steve, 38, loses cancer battle weeks before his graduation
But his life was tragically cut short at the age of just 38 after he was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer five months ago.
The Abertay University student lost his battle with chromophobe renal carcinoma last Thursday.
Sarah, his wife of 10 years, said Steve was just two months away from graduating with an honours degree in accountancy when the disease, which attacks the kidneys, “came out of nowhere”.
The former Monifieth High School pupil was initially diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, which didn’t show any signs of improving.
The father-of-three went for scans on his liver and doctors discovered a “funny shape” on his kidneys.
Sarah, 37, said: “The doctors discovered a 12cm tumour on his right kidney, which doubled in size within two weeks. When he went in for an operation to have it removed, it had grown to 22cm — it was the size of a rugby ball. By that time it had attached itself to his bowel, so he had to have some of that removed. It was a very aggressive cancer.”
Sarah said Steve was determined to fight the disease all the way, insisting that “it wouldn’t beat him”.
She said: “It was typical of Steve really — he was all set for battling this all the way. He never did anything by halves.”
Steve, who had a 17-stone dog named Kahyzer, enjoyed an active social life and was known to frequent the Crown Inn, Monifieth, where he played for the local darts team, the Crown Jewels.
Regulars at the pub — which was referred to as his “second home” — came together to try to help Steve spend the time he had left with his family.
Sarah said: “Steve was such a massive character and the pub decided to hold a fundraiser for him to make the most of his time with his family. They raised more than £4,000, which was an incredible gesture. I couldn’t find the words to thank them.
“Without them we wouldn’t have been able to do as much with the time Steve had left.”
Using the money raised, Steve was able to spend some precious time with his kids — including a visit to Stamford Bridge with his youngest, Stephen.
Sarah said: “He was a big Chelsea fan so it was great that he was able to take Stephen to the game.
“He went to Blackpool with our oldest, Liam — they had been there before on their first trip away together a few years ago.
“The first time they went, Steve got a tattoo of my name on his chest in Chinese.
“When they went back, Liam had ‘Dad’ tattooed on his chest.
“Unfortunately, Steve didn’t get a chance to have a special moment with Siobhan, our daughter.”
Steve spent the last weeks of his life in Roxburghe House — and was joking until the end.
Sarah said: “The staff there were fantastic. Steve loved his dog and Kahyzer made an appearance at Roxburghe House.
“The nurses actually took him away for photos with other patients — Steve was so proud of Kahyzer.
“It broke my heart seeing Steve disappear. I know one of his biggest regrets was not graduating.
“Abertay tried to organise for him to graduate tomorrow. We’re gutted he didn’t make it. For the last two years, we’d also been planning to emigrate to Australia.
“We had been across to Oz and we loved it but when Steve’s health deteriorated it wasn’t possible.”
Steve is survived by Sarah, his sons Liam, 19, and Stephen, 11, Siobhan, 12, his brother Jonathan and parents Gordon and Elizabeth.
His funeral will be held at St Bride’s Church, Monifieth, on Monday at 10am. Mourners are asked not to wear black.
STEVE Rennie was the life and soul of the party.