Barman who blamed long hours for the pains in his legs is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and given just months to live 

  • Rhys James, 37, began experiencing painful legs in March last year
  • Took painkillers but was soon unable to walk and admitted to hospital
  • Tests revealed he had lung cancer and just 12-18 months to live 
  • Married his girlfiend Rhea and is now fundraising as she cannot work 

By Anna Hodgekiss for MailOnline

Published: 05:49 EST, 1 June 2016 | Updated: 11:33 EST, 1 June 2016

A barman who thought the pains in his legs were due to standing all day is now battling terminal lung cancer.

Rhys James, 37, admits he thought nothing of it when he began experiencing painful legs in March last year.

To numb the pain, he took paracetamol and ibuprofen but the pain continued to worsen.

By the time he was unable to walk, he was eventually diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis.

Mr James, from Longsight, Greater Manchester, was prescribed a course of blood thinning tablets to to dissolve the clot.

But weeks later, he was rushed to hospital after suffering from a pulmonary embolism - a blood clot in the lung -  and tests revealed he had a tumour in his chest.

Worse still, the cancer was terminal - and he had just 12-18 month to live. 

Weeks after his diagnosis, Mr James proposed to his partner Rhea, a teaching assistant, and the pair married soon after. 

Rhys James, 37, with wife Rhea, admits he thought nothing of it when he began experiencing painful legs in March last year.
Unbeknown to him, he was suffering from advanced lung cancer which is now terminal

Rhys James, 37, with wife Rhea, admits he thought nothing of it when he began experiencing painful legs in March last year. Unbeknown to him, he was suffering from advanced lung cancer which is now terminal

Weeks after his diagnosis, Mr James proposed to his partner Rhea, a teaching assistant, and the pair married soon after in Knutsford, Cheshire

Weeks after his diagnosis, Mr James proposed to his partner Rhea, a teaching assistant, and the pair married soon after in Knutsford, Cheshire

Mr James said: 'Weeks after I was diagnosed, my boss told me I could go and stay in his cottage in Scotland, so Rhea and I dashed up there and I proposed'

Mr James said: 'Weeks after I was diagnosed, my boss told me I could go and stay in his cottage in Scotland, so Rhea and I dashed up there and I proposed'

Mr James said: 'I had the pains in my legs for months but I thought nothing of it. 

'I was working long hours in the bar at the time and it was normal for my legs to feel quite sore after a long shift. I would take paracetamol and ibuprofen to stop them aching.

'Even when I was rushed to hospital I still didn't think it was anything serious, but they kept me in for two weeks.

'When the consultant came to see me I thought it was because I was being discharged, but then he pulled the curtain across and I realised there was something wrong.

'They told me there and then that it was terminal. They told me I was looking at between 12 and 18 months. It was a massive shock.'

Mr James is suffering from adenocarcinoma, which accounts for about 40 per cent of of lung cancers. 

This type of lung cancer occurs mainly in current or former smokers, but it is also the most common type of lung cancer seen in non-smokers. 

Before his diagnosis, Mr Rhys smoked around five cigarettes a day.  

According to medical literature, leg pains can be a sign of lung cancer that has spread to the bone. 

The pain may initially feel like a muscle pull or strain, but gradually worsens and can become severe. 

When bone metastases (cancer that has spread) involve the arms and legs, pain is often worse with movement.

Mr James began chemotherapy immediately after this diagnosis and has been on treatment since last July.

With Mrs James having to stop working to care for her husband, the the pair are now struggling financially - and have reluctantly set up a Go Fund Me page in the hope of donations

With Mrs James having to stop working to care for her husband, the the pair are now struggling financially - and have reluctantly set up a Go Fund Me page in the hope of donations

Mrs James, 29, who graduated with a first class honours degree months before Rhys' diagnosis, said: 'When he was diagnosed with terminal cancer it was a blow from nowhere. We couldn't believe it. We both broke down'

He said: 'Weeks after I was diagnosed, my boss told me I could go and stay in his cottage in Scotland, so Rhea and I dashed up there and I proposed. 

'I was delighted when she said yes. We were keen to get married straightaway but we didn't think we would be able to afford it.'

With Mrs James having to stop working to care for her husband, the the pair are now struggling financially - and have reluctantly set up a Go Fund Me page in the hope of donations. 

The couple also applied to Gift of a Wedding - a charity which organises weddings for terminally-ill people.

SMOKING AND LUNG CANCER

Mr James is suffering from adenocarcinoma, which accounts for about 40 per cent of of lung cancers. 

This type of lung cancer occurs mainly in current or former smokers, but it is also the most common type of lung cancer seen in non-smokers. 

It is more common in women and more likely to strike to occur in younger people than other types of lung cancer.

Adenocarcinoma is usually found in outer parts of the lung. 

Though it tends to grow slower than other types of lung cancer and is more likely to be found before it has spread, this varies from patient to patient. 

The charity accepted the application from the couple and appealed to local businesses to provide a venue, flowers, a photographer, videographer and other wedding essentials for free.

The couple got married in Knutsford, Cheshire, in a ceremony surrounded by family and friends.

Mrs James, 29, who graduated with a first class honours degree months before Rhys' diagnosis, said: 'When he was diagnosed with terminal cancer it was a blow from nowhere. We couldn't believe it. We both broke down.

'I had just started my new job as a teaching assistant, but I had to stay off work until the end of the academic year. It was a lot for us to take in.

'Rhys had been complaining about the pain in his legs for months but he thought nothing of it. He always just put it down to his job. 

'He was working every hour god sent. We never imagined it could be something as serious as lung cancer.'

She added: 'Our wedding day was the most beautiful, perfect day. Gift of a Wedding made it so special for us and we made some very special memories.'

Patricia Harrison, founder of Gift of a Wedding, said: 'It was an absolute honour to plan Rhys and Rhea's wedding day. 

'They requested a beautiful, intimate wedding day for their friends and family, which would reflect their personalities, love and commitment to one another. 

'We are pleased we were able to fulfil their wedding dream and create some wonderful memories for them'.

To visit the couple's fundraising page, click here: gofundme.com/rhysiefurr

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