CASE STUDY

FOR six weeks, Joseph McKinnon was told by his GP he had nothing more than food poisoning. But just three weeks ago, he received the devastating news that he had terminal oesophageal cancer – and possibly just two months left to live.

His mum, Pamela, is waiting by her desperately ill son’s bedside at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness for news.

Brother Tony, 54, has flown over from the US to be with his sibling in his final few weeks.

Pamela, 75, who lives in London, said: “Joseph couldn’t keep anything down. He had terrible diarrhoea and vomiting.

“For six weeks the doctor told him it was food poisoning and, when he kept going back, prescribed different antibiotics and gave him injections. I think he had three or four different types of tablets. “On several occasions, Joseph took himself to A& E and pleaded for tests, but was just sent home with more pills. Between his GP and hospital, he must have seen a doctor eight times.

“The last time, Joseph said he was desperately ill and was even

tually taken seriously.”

By that point, the 50- year- old’s weight had plummeted by six stone.

Doctors carried out an endoscopy and found a tumour in his oesophagus. They told Joseph and his family that it was terminal and he had just weeks to live.

“It’s so upsetting – and I’m angry that Joseph wasn’t sent for tests sooner – especially as his father, Neil, died from oesophageal cancer 10 years ago,” Pamela said.

“That was even more reason to investigate further.

“But Joseph was duffed off. The doctors said he was wasting their time.”

Joseph, who moved to Scotland 10 years ago, has resigned himself to a bleak prognosis.

He’s opted not to have chemotherapy, as he still remembers his dad going through the gruelling treatment.

Doctors want to move him to a hospice for palliative care, but it’s Joseph’s wish to die in the comfort of his home in Inverness.

“If Joseph had been sent for tests initially, I have no doubt that the cancer wouldn’t be as aggressive as it is now,” Pamela said.

“But he didn’t get that opportunity so we’ll never know if he could have been treated successfully.”