Father-of-seven whose relationship broke down after he was misdiagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection discovers he’s terminally ill with a rare form of cancer
- Tony Stevens, from Royal Wootton Bassett, Wilts, was told he had STI last year
- Partner of nine years Trisha Nation suspected he’d cheated on her and left him
- Months later told he has nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma
- Tony given five years to live – since reconciled with Trisha and pair now engaged
- Fundraising for specialised pneumatic pump to ease the swelling in Tony’s legs
A father-of-seven whose relationship broke down after he was misdiagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease was told he is actually suffering from terminal cancer.
Tony Stevens, from Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, and his partner Trisha Nation split up after doctors said the STI lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) was the cause of his night sweats and weight loss.
Believing this indicated Tony had been cheating on her, Trisha walked out – but the truth was even more devastating.
Months later in May 2019, former construction company driver Tony was told he actually had a very rare form of cancer called nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma – and just five years to live.
Father-of-seven Tony Stevens told how his relationship with Trisha Nation broke down after he was misdiagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease which turned out to be a rare form of terminal cancer. Pictured back row left to right: Chelsea, Kyle, Tony Stevens, Mikey, and Jacon. Front row: Trisha and Madison.
The pair reconciled after his diagnosis and are now engaged, with Trisha giving up work to care for him. They are attempting to tackle their uncertain future together.
The couple is hoping to raise £4,000 to buy a specialised pneumatic pump to ease the swelling in Tony’s legs.
Tony said: ‘[Trisha] obviously thought I was up to something. They told me I had a sexually transmitted disease.
‘It has been a tough long road. I felt alone I didn’t know where to turn. [But] my partner understood when I got my diagnosis. Since then things have spun round.’
The pair reconciled after Tony’s diagnosis and are now engaged, with Trisha giving up work to care for him. They are attempting to tackle their uncertain future together
Tony has lymphoedema, which causes swelling in the body’s tissues. Pictured: his legs and ankles swollen from his condition
Tony was rushed to hospital to have some of the nodes in his groin removed a month after being dealt the bad news.
An infection followed and fluid built up, meaning he was rushed in for an operation – and subsequently told he had lymphoedema, which causes swelling in the body’s tissues.
He then had to undergo radiotherapy at another facility and is now on end of life care. This means he has to have a scan every three months to keep an eye on his condition.
Tony said: ‘I’m at a high risk of getting more infections so they’re keeping an eye on that. I’m under palliative care now.
‘I’m on benefits because I can’t work and my partner looks after me. It has just been a struggle dealing with it all and dealing with every day life.
‘So I’m raising money to get a pump so I can move around more and help around the house.’
The couple have since used GoFundMe to launch a fundraising campaign to raise £4,000 to purchase pulse press garments.
Former construction company driver Tony, pictured before his diagnosis, is fundraising for £4,000 to purchase pulse press garments to help with his swelling and mobility
This sum could make a huge difference to Tony’s life as he currently relies on using compression socks and wraps to help the circulation.
Any extra money is raised will be used to take the children on holiday – who have struggled in the wake of his diagnosis.
Tony added: ‘It’s been very tough – we have been stuck inside not able to go out with the kids.
‘I would love to just take them away to get away from it all and make memories. They’re constantly surrounded by the situation.’