Despite being expecting his fifth kid and reporting that chemotherapy rendered him sterile, a cancer patient father expressed concern that he would not live to witness the birth of his son.
Last February, after scheduling a visit with his doctor because of a stomach discomfort and windy symptoms, Andrew Wresford, 37, received the news that he had colon cancer.
The ex-carpenter, from Bradford, underwent grueling chemotherapy, which medics warned would prevent him from having more children because of the damage it could do to sperm.
So Mr Wresford and his partner Rachel Mitton were shocked to find out in January that she was pregnant again.
Despite being excited about having their third child together, Mr. Wresford – who has two children from a previous relationship — said he is “emotional” that he may not meet his son, after being told he has only months to live.
Rachel Mitton, 36, along with a team of palliative nurses are caring for the beloved dad at their home in West Yorkshire
Andrew Wreford (centre), with his four children Hollie (left), Ezra, Alba & William
Mr Wresford visited the doctor in February last year when he started to feel windy and experience abdominal pain.
After a colonoscopy – a test to check the inside of the intestines – he was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Each year, approximately 43,000 Britons and 153,020 Americans are diagnosed with cancer.
The cancer, which can cause changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain and bloating, is one of the most common forms and mainly affects people over the age of 60.
Mr Wresford and his family initially believed his cancer could be controlled.
But further tests revealed that the cancer had spread to other organs and was terminal.
READ MORE: Six warning signs of colon cancer revealed
Colon cancer can cause you to have blood in your stool, a change in bowel habits, a lump in your bowel that can cause blockages. Some people also suffer weight loss as a result of these symptoms
Mr. Wresford was told he had a few years to live and underwent chemotherapy to slow his decline.
His family says he was told the treatment, which stops cancer cells from growing and spreading in the body, has left him infertile.
Chemo is known to slow or stop sperm production, which is permanent for some men but temporary for others.
However, the couple said they were stunned when Ms Mitton fell pregnant in January, with the third child they hoped to have before Mr Wresford was diagnosed.
Then, earlier this year, doctors reduced Mr. Wresford’s survival time to just a few months.
He talked to his doctors about another cycle of chemotherapy, but chose not to go through it because of how sick it had made him and because the doctors couldn’t guarantee it would make him better.
Mr Wresford, who spends most of his time in bed and is cared for by his partner, now fears he may not meet his due date in September.
He said, “I’m worried about how Rachel will manage without me, but I’m excited about the fact that we’re having another child.
“I’m also emotional that I won’t be there to meet my son.”
Ms Mitton said she was devastated at the loss of her ‘rock and best friend’ but said their new son would allow ‘another part of Andrew’ to live on.
The mother-of-two said, “Andrew and I wanted another child, so it was meant to be — our little light in the dark.
Andrew Wresford, 37, from Bradford, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2022
Andrew visited the doctor in February last year when he started to feel windy and had abdominal pain. After a colonoscopy, he was diagnosed with colon cancer, which spread to his organs a few months later and was terminal
Mr Wresford’s sister, Jackie Hamilton (right), 48, who flew back from Australia to be with him, is heartbroken at her brother’s rapid decline
“As heartbroken as I am to be raising our children without my rock and best friend, this baby means another part of Andrew will always be with me – a true gift.
“I couldn’t quite believe the timing of the pregnancy and I was quite apprehensive about it at first as Andrew’s health was my priority.
But life should always be celebrated and I know this little boy will bring much needed love and joy to everyone, even in the toughest of times.
Mr Wresford’s sister, Jackie Hamilton, 48, who flew back from Australia to be with him, is heartbroken at her brother’s rapid decline.
She said: ‘We managed to spend some time with the family, but things went downhill from mid-February and eventually a stoma had to be fitted. There has been no comeback.
“He has changed drastically physically. I was heartbroken when I got here.
“When he went to that next level, he couldn’t even talk to me. He sleeps a lot and eats little.
“It was really heartbreaking to see him languish. He’s six feet tall and was always big and strong.’
Ms. Hamilton helps collect donations for the Andrews family through a GoFundMe page, which has so far raised £3,900.
Ms Hamilton called the news that Rachel had become pregnant “bittersweet”.
She said, “He will never get to know his father and my brother may not be able to see his baby being born in September.
‘[But] it’s wonderful for Rachel to still have a piece of him.’
I was told chemo had left me infertile – now I’m expecting a son I might never meet