A dying father-of-four who claimed he was “tricked” by NHS doctors has been given weeks to live after doctors failed to detect he had cancer for 18 months.
Joe Snape, 37, from Leek, Staffordshire, was told he had incurable esophageal cancer in March despite first visiting his GP with stomach pains last year.
The former cobbler also visited Royal Stoke University Hospital’s emergency department and made calls to West Midlands Ambulance Service before his diagnosis.
Mr Snape, who lives with his partner and children, was told he had three weeks to live, eight weeks ago.
He said: ‘I went to the doctor 18 months ago with very bad stomach pains and they kept lying to me. The doctor told me that the stomach pain was indigestion.
‘On another occasion, I had chest pains that created pressure in my chest and I thought I was having a heart attack.
“The doctor told me to drive to the hospital even though I thought I was having a heart attack – it’s ridiculous.” I’ve been there (to the doctors) many times.
“One night I collapsed and called an ambulance. They told me the wait would be five hours and my brother said, “Don’t worry, he’ll be dead then.”
Joe Snape, 37, from Leek, Staffordshire, (pictured with his family) was told he had incurable esophageal cancer in March despite first visiting his GP with stomach pains last year .
Mr Snape (right), who lives with his partner and children, was told he had three weeks to live (eight weeks ago).
“He rushed me to Royal Stoke A&E and I couldn’t even get in because they were so busy, so I went to Macclesfield A&E and they put me on a drip and saw me within the hour.
“They opened me up and Royal Stoke diagnosed me with oesophageal cancer and told me I had about three weeks to live, but that was eight weeks ago so I surpassed their assumptions and estimates.
“It’s incurable, so I have to try to keep it at bay, but I feel like if the doctors had realized 18 months ago, maybe it wouldn’t have been incurable.”
‘My cancer has grown into the stomach from the esophagus and has come out the side of the stomach in an L shape.
‘It’s all in my lymph nodes, so they can’t operate. One doctor said I would need a stent and then a second doctor said he couldn’t put it in because it would just fall out.
‘I’m having chemotherapy at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester and they are really good.
‘In just half an hour I received more information and advice from the doctor there than I did in two months from Royal Stoke.
‘I have to undergo chemotherapy once every three weeks for a period of nine weeks.
‘The Christie is the best. He couldn’t believe how many people were there. It was quite daunting but the staff were brilliant.
‘I’m in ward four, which sees 130 patients a day. Plus, parking is free at The Christie. I would spend £40 or £50 at the Royal Stoke on parking fees.
‘Although I’m having chemotherapy in Manchester, Royal Stoke called me the following Tuesday (May 21) and said I needed to come in for chemotherapy – they don’t communicate with each other because it had already started on May 17.’
Speaking about his experience with cancer, Joe added: ‘Some days I can eat, some days I can’t.
‘After my first chemo session on Friday, I felt fine on Saturday, but not on Sunday.
‘I felt dizzy, which reminds me of being on a boat when I was a kid because I used to go fishing with my dad. I am also diabetic.
‘I was told that it is very strange to see this type of cancer in a man my age. I’ve gone from working seven days a week to not working at all.
‘I was an asphalt racer and I enjoyed it a lot. I’m going to pay for my own coffin and also my own funeral.
The former cobbler also visited Royal Stoke University Hospital’s emergency department (pictured) and made calls to West Midlands Ambulance Service before his diagnosis.
He also said he made calls to West Midlands Ambulance Service (file image)
‘My friends and family are doing a lot of fundraising for me, including fixing up a campervan, and my sister is talking about shaving her head.
‘My friends were being very secretive about the caravan, but it will mean I can go on holiday to Wales and other places with my family.
‘We’re having an auction because my friend is friends with John Fury, so there are gloves and signed things up for auction, plus Stoke FC will donate a signed shirt and ball. JCB also donated meat for the barbecues.’
Julie Ward set up a GoFundMe for Joe with a target of £20,000 which has now been surpassed.
She wrote: “Thank you to everyone who has helped us achieve this. Joe received his caravan on Saturday (May 25), and it was very kindly delivered by Tyson Fury’s father, John. What an absolute gentleman he was.
‘Without you kind people this would not have been possible – thank you. Joe and his family haven’t been home since receiving the caravan. Right now they’re in Conway in all this rain, but they’re still making memories.
‘This Saturday we will have an auction to raise a little money for Joe and his family. There will be food, music and some good stuff will be auctioned off. You are all welcome. “I think Joe would love to thank them in person for what they’ve accomplished.”
UHNM deputy chief nursing officer Jane Holmes said: “Our clinical nurse specialists have been in contact with Mr Snape and other healthcare professionals over recent weeks to understand his treatment decisions and he has refused chemotherapy at UHNM. .
“We take any concerns raised by patients seriously and I would encourage Mr Snape to speak to the Patient Advice and Liaison Team if we can investigate his concerns further.”
A spokesperson for Staffordshire and Stoke Integrated Care Board said: “Our thoughts are with the patient. We are committed to ensuring that all patient concerns are addressed appropriately. “Due to patient confidentiality, we are unable to discuss individual cases.
‘If anyone needs help or has similar concerns, they can make a complaint through the practice or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) for help.
‘PALS is dedicated to providing support, resolving concerns and offering guidance to ensure the best possible care and service.
“You can contact them by phone on 0808 196 8861 or by email at PatientServices@staffsstoke.icb.nhs.uk.”