John Robertson, 35, from Ayr can’t bear the thought of leaving his long-term partner and three children behind.
15:14, 04 Jul 2026Updated 15:24, 04 Jul 2026
John, Jorja 15, Paris-Cole, eight, and Clay-Ty, four, and wife Nicole, 29(Image: Supplied)
A healthy dad-of-three has been “handed a death sentence” after struggles swallowing food led to being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
John Robertson was diagnosed with Stage 4 oesophageal adenocarcinoma last month, which has spread to multiple parts of his body including his liver.
The 35-year-old from Ayr began struggling to swallow food in February, which eventually saw him lose three stone in two and a half months, and suffering unbearable chest pain like he was having a heart attack.
He went to the GP where he was fast-tracked for an endoscopy which discovered a bleed and a mass tumour covering 75 per cent of his oesophagus. He has been given just nine months to live.
John with two of his three children who he can’t bare the thought of leaving behind(Image: Supplied)
John is “crushed” by the prospect of not seeing his children Jorja 15, Paris-Cole, eight, and Clay-Ty, four, grow up, or having a future with his partner of 11 years, Nicole, 29.
John told the Record: “It was the most devastating, world-crushing news. My world fell apart.
“My kids don’t deserve to lose their dad so young. I want to watch them grow up and guide them through life.
“To know I might not be here to walk my daughters down the aisle or watch my son grow into the gentleman he is already becoming is heartbreaking. I don’t want them to remember me as ill. They’ve already seen enough.
John and his partner of 11 years, and wife of four years, Nicole(Image: Supplied)
“A future with my wife has been stolen from me. I don’t understand how I’m dying but look the picture of health.
“I refuse to believe that my time is almost over.”
John, a glazier, has always been fit and healthy but when his food started to get trapped on the way down, meaning having to force it back up to relieve the pain and get rid of the blockage, he got concerned.
A few months later, he started experiencing a severe crushing pain in the middle of his chest, followed by a tightening feeling around his ribcage, prompting him to visit the GP, and be referred for CT scans and biopsies.
John and his beloved son on his wedding day in 2022(Image: Supplied)
Medics who diagnosed John told him there was no way the cancer could have been caught early because by the time symptoms appeared, it was already too late. John was told he has potentially had the tumour for years.
The disease has now spread to John’s lungs, throat, right adrenal gland, and liver.
He is now on an all-liquid diet and starts chemotherapy this month and might need a feeding tube.
John was fit, happy, and healthy before he got diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in June(Image: Supplied)
John said: “I remember seeing a pool of blood in my throat on the screen during the endoscopy.
“The doctor’s face dropped. I was so panicked.
“Doctors have told me I’ll look like this until the end except a bit paler and thinner.
“My bloods, liver function, and heart rate are good. I’m still strong and active.
“Looking at me and hearing my story doesn’t marry up.”
John feels “deep sadness and heartache” at the thought of leaving his three beautiful children(Image: Supplied)
John has now started fundraising to pay for private medical treatments and trials not currently offered on the NHS.
He is waiting to hear back if he has been accepted for trials in Germany and London.
The money will also go towards making memories with his family with the time he has left.
He added: “We’re trying to cram a lifetime of experiences into a few months.
“I’m writing cards and recording video messages for my family to cover birthdays and other celebrations.
“I want them to know I will still be there with them through every milestone.”
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