Grandad 'didn't think for one second' magazine in waiting room was for him

A grandad said he has been “fighting a battle every day” after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Edward Denmark, from Moreton, was experiencing - what he now knows to be - “classic symptoms” of the disease, including rib pain and tiredness. However, initially, the 63-year-old's ailments were just put down to an aftermath effect of his time serving as a soldier in the Falklands War and the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The former gunner in the royal artillery told the ECHO: “I knew something was wrong but the doctors were having none of it so that was frustrating for me. It was really difficult knowing people didn’t believe me.”

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After a series of tests, Edward was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The Wirral dad-of-two then attended Birkenhead’s Arrowe Park Hospital, where it became clear this wasn’t the case at all.

The grandad-of-three said: “I was sitting there and I noticed all these magazines on the table. They all had cancer written on them in big letters. I said to my wife Patricia about it but not for one second did I think it had anything to do with me. But that changed when I walked into the consultant.

“There was another nurse in the room with him so I knew something was wrong. She was there for support and I could tell that straight away.”

Edward was “shocked” to learn he was being diagnosed with incurable multiple myeloma - a type of bone marrow cancer - as he claims the word “cancer” had never been mentioned to him before this.

Despite everything Edward said he has “never felt sad once” since being given the news about his deteriorating health.

He added: “I knew it in my own mind. But I think I’ve been so conditioned from seeing death and destruction during the Falklands and Northern Ireland that it didn’t phase me. You just realise that is how life is and of course, if it's going to be anyone, it’s going to be me. That’s all you can do. It is what it is and I never felt like a victim.

"Whether it be surviving an upbringing of poverty, fighting in war or battling cancer, I have always remained positive. Everything in life comes down to mindset and mine has served me well - put it this way, I have far outlasted my life expectancy from the doctors. Rather than feel sorry for myself, I feel it is my duty to share with others my experience with the hope that it helps them too.”

Since being diagnosed in 2015, Edward said he “simply won’t be defeated” and has gone on to release three books, deliver numerous motivational talks and even travel to Argentina to campaign for the justice of Falklands War veterans, his former enemy.

His latest “no holds barred” book, titled B Positive, is based on his terminal cancer journey. The novel is said to take the reader on a “deeply touching journey through diagnosis, treatment, the secrets of survival and finding solace and humour in the depths of despair”.

The author said: “My aim is to remind people of how precious life is but to also give them the inspiration and tools to cope mentally with sickness, pain and extreme adversity.

“I hope the book may be of assistance to anyone in a similar position to me. The one thing we do have control of is our attitude and that can be the difference between life and death.”

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