Dad’s new lease of life after cancer
A dad who attempted suicide told how it saved his life - after it led to a ‘silent killer’ cancer diagnosis.
Robert Allen (38), reached rock bottom at the start of 2019, as he struggled with the demands of parenting.
The dad-of-one had been plagued with anxiety about whether he could be a good father to his son, Cameron, now aged four.
HMRC officer Robert felt exhausted by the demands of his toddler son, and felt he did not have the energy to play with him as often as the tot wanted.
He felt fatigued all the time and it took a toll on his marriage to wife Lesley (35), who he has been with for 10 years.
On January 20, 2019, Robert attempted to end his life.
The following day his wife took him to the GP, and Robert promised to take steps to address his mental health, and also to get fit.
Blood tests were taken which showed irregularities with his liver - but in April 2019, Robert was diagnosed with stage 2 liver cancer, after a 6cm tumour was found.
The ‘silent killer’ cancer had caused the tiredness which Robert had attributed to being depressed and overweight.
A year after his suicide bid, Robert, from Bathgate, believes he has been given a new lease of life by the ordeal.
Robert said: “I would never have thought it was kidney cancer - I thought I was overweight and not looking after myself.
“My son would be wanting to do stuff with me and I just didn’t have the energy for it.
“I would see him playing by himself, and I would feel like I was failing my wife too.
“After the suicide attempt she was absolutely devastated.”
On January 21, 2019, Lesley took Robert to the GP surgery and he vowed to get himself in a better place both physically and mentally.
He was helped by charity The Changing Rooms, which is linked to his football club, Hearts.
But just three months later, the family was given the devastating cancer diagnosis after a blood test showed irregularities in his liver.
An ultrasound was performed showing a tumour of his left kidney - which would otherwise have gone unnoticed.
Medics at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh performed an operation on April 8, 2019, three days after the diagnosis.
Robert said: “When I got the cancer diagnosis, my wife fell apart - but I was like ‘what do we need to do to fix it?’.
“After the operation I began to realise the impact of the physical side of the illness - I was able to say ‘OK, it wasn’t because I don’t love my kid and don’t want to play with him’. “I could stop beating myself up.
“I feel like getting through the mental illness and cancer was the best thing that ever happened to me.
“My life has been transformed. I’m much more focused on my family.”
Robert is now looking forward to celebrating Cameron’s fifth birthday, in March.
He said: “This time last year it was difficult to find joy in it, I was just crushed.
“This year we’re planning a party. I’m part of his life properly.”
My life has been transformed. I’m more focused on family