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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Thomas George

'Dad went to doctors after saying his food didn't taste right... now he's got weeks to live'

A mechanic was given a devastating diagnosis just weeks after he began suffering stomach problems and struggling to eat.

Pete Murphy, from Burnage, has been told he has just months left to live after doctors discovered he had stomach cancer last week. The following day, the father-of-three was rushed to hospital to undergo life-saving surgery after his tumour perforated.

Mr Murphy, 55, survived the operation but doctors informed loved ones the cancer has spread to his liver and behind his stomach and that there is 'nothing they can do'.

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His daughter, Sarah, said she and her family are still struggling to come to terms with her father's diagnosis.

"It's been the most traumatic week ever," she said. "We're all in shock.

"We don't really know how long he has got left. They have said maximum a couple of months if he can overcome the surgery and the infection he has got."

Mr Murphy, who also has three grandchildren, first began experiencing stomach pain and struggling to eat in February

"He started to get really bad stomach pain and was saying anything he tried to eat didn't taste right," Ms Murphy explained. "It got to the point that he couldn't eat anything."

Mr Murphy went to his GP and, following a series of tests, doctors delivered the devastating news him that he had stomach cancer. But as he and his family attempted to come to terms with the news, he took a turn for the worse.

Medics discovered his tumour had perforated and he was rushed to hospital, where an urgent operation was carried out.

"It was terrifying for us to see," said Ms Murphy. "He looked like he was going to die."

Although medics claimed his chances were 'not great', Mr Murphy survived the surgery and is now recovering in hospital. However, the perforation has caused his abdomen to become infected, said Ms Murphy.

In order to make the most of the final months she has with her father, Ms Murphy has set up a fundraising page to raise money.

She hopes to use the funds to support her father and make the most of the time he has left. She says she hopes to treat him to a BMW driving experience, as well as eventually covering the cost of his funeral.

"We were not prepared for this at all and we have no funds for a funeral plans or to make this any easier," she explained.

"We want to spend as much time with him as possible to make his time memorable and keep up with all of our financial commitments. We have had time off work and are now struggling and worrying about money and how we can fully support him.

"He is still doing okay at the moment and I hope that continues so we can get the chance to do the things he wants. He's mentioned having a Christmas together and for us all to go for a meal.

"He has also mentioned driving an M2 competition BMW as he loves cars. I'm hoping he gets to a point where he will be able to drive."

You can donate to the fundraiser here.

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