Despite receiving such devastating news, Lee, a medical sales representative, spent Halloween night trick-or-treating with his kids and shared the heartbreaking news with them the following day.

Although he acknowledges their lives have been turned upside down, Lee is intent on making lasting memories with his family, including a surprise trip to Lapland for his children.

He is also committed to raising awareness about this ‘horrible disease’ to help prevent it from impacting other families.

Lee, who also deals with Type 2 diabetes, expressed to PA Real Life: “This will be my last Christmas. I’m facing the jaws of death. I’m sailing towards it and can’t do anything about it. I just have to face it.” He continued, “I don’t fear death, I fear leaving my children and Faye behind – not being able to be there when they’re in trouble, not being able to make it better when tears flow, watching Marley developing his football, watching Darcey developing her theatrical talents, not being able to be there for Faye.”

He further stated: “Survival for pancreatic cancer has barely improved since the 1970s and it’s got to change. I want to get people to sit up and listen and think, what can we do for this not to destroy another young family’s life?”

Lee began experiencing a ‘dull ache’ in his lower abdomen in January, which he initially dismissed as stress-related. A visit to his GP led to a referral to a gastroenterologist, but there was a 21-week wait. In the meantime, his blood and urine tests returned clear results, and no further action was taken until September when the pain intensified.

“I was taking painkillers every day, and co-codamol, and it wasn’t touching the sides,” Lee explained. “If you can imagine a scaffolding pole and someone slowly pushing it through you, right through to your back, it was like that.”

Following a particularly painful episode at his son’s football training, Lee sought emergency care at Southend University Hospital where he underwent a CT scan. Shortly thereafter, he was informed of the terminal diagnosis.

Lee recounted how a consultant told him he hadn’t done anything to cause the cancer, suggesting that sometimes developing such illnesses is a matter of ‘destiny’. His grandfather also had pancreatic cancer, indicating a potential genetic link.

He encourages anyone experiencing unusual symptoms or persistent pain to seek medical advice promptly.

If you are affected by these issues and wish to speak confidentially, the American Cancer Society can be contacted at 1-800-227-2345 or through their live chat feature, available 24/7 throughout the year.