CORRECTION: A previous headline of this article reported that Graham Wilkinson had died after a 22cm tumour was removed from his abdomen. This is untrue and Graham Wilkinson survived his operation. We sincerely apologies for this error and for any upset/distress caused.
A man with an incurable cancerous tumour in his stomach says he was misdiagnosed for two years.
Graham Wilkinson, from Doncaster, began to feel "severely fatigued" two years ago and went to the doctor to be checked out.
After a number of tests, the retired-firefighter was diagnosed with anaemia and was prescribed iron tablets.
He took the tablets until earlier this year, at which point be was 'bedbound.'
Graham was seen by a doctor and sent to the hospital, where a doctor discovered he had an incredibly rare gastrointestinal stromal tumour that was 22cm in size in his abdomen.
Graham's daughter Francesca, 20, told the Yorkshire Live: "When my dad was taken to hospital he had loads of scans and tests and they found a massive tumour, about 22cm, in his abdomen.
"Doctors said it would've been growing for at least two years - which fits in with the anaemia diagnosis.
"They even said, 'If he went to the doctors we could've caught it sooner', but we told them we did go to the doctors.
"It was just a complete shock to us all, it was a shock that he was even in hospital as he's never ill.
"It feels like the world just crumbles around you."
It was in July this year that Graham's health took a serious turn for the worst.
Graham saw a doctor who suspected he may have internal bleeding and he was sent to A&E.
It was there that doctors initially thought he had a stomach infection, but after further tests and scans, it was found that Graham's diagnosis was much more serious than a simple infection.
After a week in hospital Graham's health quickly deteriorated and so, he was transferred to Sheffield Northern General Hospital for the emergency operation to remove the tumour.
However, Graham was only given a 50 per cent chance of survival and Francesca, her mum Louise, brother Ben and sister Jess said their goodbyes.
"It was so hard to say our goodbyes because we were told it was a very risky operation," Francesca said.
Thankfully the eight-hour operation was a success - and the surgeon managed to remove the majority of the tumour.
After weeks of recovering in hospital, which Francesca says were "hellish" for her dad, Graham was allowed to return home.
But, parts of the tumour had spread to his liver and near to his kidney - which tragically cannot be removed.
The family have been told that devastatingly Graham will never be cancer free - but he has recently started taking an oral form of chemotherapy to try and stop the tumour from growing.
"To me it's just mind-blowing," Francesca said.
"My dad's an ex-firefighter so he's always been fit and healthy.
"It's been a big reality check, it makes you appreciate everything so much more and not to take things for granted."
Since Graham's diagnosis the entire family have rallied together to support him.
"My mum has been absolutely amazing, she's been my dad's full-time carer, and he wouldn't of been able to get through it without her," Francesca said.
"My dad is originally from Liverpool, and since this has happened we've seen all are family from up there and my brother and sister come round every week.
"It's been so great to see everyone so much."
While the family live in hope that the chemotherapy tablets will stop the tumours from growing, Francesca wants to do all that she can to raise awareness for gastrointestinal stromal tumour.
In November, she and her friend Cat, will undertake a 15,000 ft charity skydive - with donations raised, via the GoFundMe campaign, going towards the GIST Cancer Charity UK.
"This type of cancer is so rare there is only one charity for it in the world," Francesca said.
"So all donations will be made on behalf of my dad.
"He's not my biological dad, but we're the absolute closest, so so close.
"He raised me up and he's just the best, everyone loves him.
So far, Francesca has raised £2,400 for GIST Cancer Charity UK but she wants to raise as much as she possibly can as well as spread awareness for gastrointestinal stromal tumours.
"If anyone has any symptoms make sure you push to get tests," she said.
To donate to the GoFundMe campaign click here
