Table of Contents
Young father Dan Kettle and his wife Bethan welcomed their baby Rex in March after getting married in June of last year.
However, their lives were turned upside down when Dan received a terminal diagnosis.
Dan and Bethan got married in June of last yearCredit: Cover Images
In March of this year, they welcomed their son RexCredit: Cover Images
Just weeks after Rex's birth, Dan, 33, visited the doctor due to concerns about weight loss and difficulties with swallowing.
An endoscopy and additional scans confirmed a tumor on his esophagus, which made eating and taking medication increasingly challenging, leading to a diagnosis of stage 4b cancer.
Although the plumbing and heating engineer began intensive treatment immediately, a scan in September revealed that the tumors had spread, prompting doctors to recommend discontinuing treatment to focus on spending quality time with his family.
They recently celebrated Christmas to ensure Rex could share this significant day with his father.
Bethan's sister, Christine Elkins, remarked: “They often say it happens to the best people, and Dan truly is one of the best.
“He would do anything for someone else – he is incredibly sincere and loving.
“We feel so blessed to have him in our family.
“The strength and courage he has displayed over the past six months is a true testament to his character.
“He continues to face everything with remarkable bravery, and we are in absolute awe of him.”
Oesophageal cancer occurs anywhere in the esophagus, sometimes referred to as the gullet or food pipe.
Symptoms can be difficult to detect because they often do not manifest in the early stages when the tumor is small.
When symptoms do appear, they are often nonspecific, such as indigestion or heartburn, which can be confused with other, more common conditions.
Dan has urged anyone experiencing similar symptoms—weight loss, difficulty swallowing—to consult a doctor, as early detection significantly increases the chances of survival.
Christine added: “It is incredibly rare for someone Dan's age to develop oesophageal cancer, but given his age and fitness level, they believed he had a good chance of enduring the treatment and immunotherapy.
“We conducted extensive research on alternative options to assist Dan because we did not want to rely solely on chemotherapy.”
Despite seeking private treatment to extend his life, the toll of the treatment meant Dan spent increasing amounts of time in the hospital.
Oesophageal cancer is most commonly found in older men, particularly those aged 50 to 75.
Other risk factors include acid reflux, Barrett’s oesophagus, and heavy alcohol and tobacco consumption.
The couple’s time together has been cut short after Dan’s oesophageal cancer diagnosisCredit: Cover Images
The family recently celebrated Christmas together so Dan could spend the big day with RexCredit: Cover Images
Dan has urged anyone with similar symptoms to always consult a doctor, as early diagnosis is keyCredit: Cover Images
The prognosis for esophageal cancer is generally poor due to late diagnosis and its aggressive nature, with a five-year survival rate of approximately 17 percent.
In addition to focusing on spending time together, the family from Oakham, Rutland, has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help them create memories during the time they have left.
Christine stated: “We have been overwhelmed by the kindness of many people we know, as well as those we don't know who have been touched by their story.
“They are like
