Brave dad urges others to act after wife spotted his cancer symptoms

A courageous dad of two has thanked his wife for helping to save his life.

Ian Milton, 35, came close to ignoring a persistent cough that started before Christmas last year, dismissing it at first as a severe cold or COVID-19. But after antibiotics failed to shift it and he suffered sudden weight loss, his wife Stacey Milton, 34, finally persuaded him to return to the GP for tests. Just days later, on March 30 this year, Ian was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

Now, after five months and 20 chemotherapy sessions, Ian will mark successfully completing treatment for the disease as guest of honour at Cancer Research UK’s Shine Night Walk in Edinburgh. It will be an emotional moment as he sounds the horn at the start line on The Mound on Saturday, September 27, to send more than 1,000 Scots on the 10k. Money raised will help scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancers – moving closer to a world where everyone can live longer, better lives.

Ian said: “Stacey is amazing and was by my side through it all.

“She was right there with me the day I was told I had cancer and in the worrying weeks before I was diagnosed too. I was a busy dad and always on the go. I was working full time and I kept hoping my symptoms would just disappear. But it was Stacey who said, ‘this isn’t right. You need to go back to the GP.’ When doctors discovered I had cancer, I ended up in hospital on a drip for ten days. They couldn’t believe I’d actually kept going for as long as I did.

“Right from the start I decided to remain positive and take on each challenge the disease threw at me. And I knew I had Stacey and a wonderful family behind me.”

The couple married at Bowfield Hotel in Howwood, Johnstone in May 2022 after their big day was postponed twice due to the pandemic.

Ian said: “It was a case of third time lucky marrying Stacey and I’m so glad we did. I’m lucky to be with her.”

Every year around 34,600 people are diagnosed with cancer in Scotland. Ambulance care assistant Ian, from Paisley, Renfrewshire, has devoted his career to caring for others. He regularly works at mass concerts, fundraising events like Shine Night Walk and Race for Life, as well as sporting fixtures across the country as part of the first aid team looking after the public. But on Mother’s Day this year the tables were turned when Ian found himself in a hospital room at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley being cared for by others.

Sharing the cancer news with his children, Keira, 16, and Ollie, 10, was tough.

Ian said: “I am proud of both our children and how they coped with the news.

“It was just months before Keira sat her national five exams at school. I worried about what kind of stress news about cancer would put her under. I didn’t want to upset the kids. And I was used to being always out and about at work. Instead those first few days felt long in a hospital room.”

Ian lost his hair to the side effects of chemotherapy shortly after he began treatment at the hospital’s haematology day unit. But with more time at home than usual, he was able to attend most of his son’s football games with St Convals in Linwood and drive his daughter Keira to dance classes. He had his final chemotherapy session in July this year. He continues to receive regular check-ups but the latest scans show no evidence of disease.

Ian said: “When I was first diagnosed I didn’t know what the outcome was going to be so I was determined to spend as much time with the children as I could.

“But after the second cycle of chemotherapy I was told the cancer was shrinking so I knew the treatment was working. And after round four it was a relief when I learnt that it was looking very good.

“The nurses understood that there were important things like my son’s tenth birthday party that I didn’t want to miss. I can’t fault the NHS. They’ve been brilliant.”

Now Ian is urging people to help beat cancer one stride at a time by taking part in Shine Night Walk. Cancer Research UK’s annual Shine Night Walk Edinburgh starts at the Scottish National Gallery on The Mound at 7pm and passes famous landmarks including Holyrood Palace, the Scottish Parliament, Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle. Fundraisers of all abilities are being called on to walk for loved ones, for future generations and with friends old and new to help drive new discoveries and cancer breakthroughs.

Shine Night Walk participants can choose to support research into the cancer type closest to their hearts, such as ovarian, prostate, bowel, lung or breast cancer – or simply give to where the need is greatest.

Cancer Research UK spokeswoman for Scotland, Lisa Adams, said: “Our scientists have helped to double cancer survival in the UK in the last 50 years. We’ve led the development of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, paved the way for targeted treatments and improved the way we use surgery to tackle cancer. But, with nearly 1 in 2 people set to be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime, we can’t stop there. So, we’re grateful to Ian for helping to raise vital awareness.

“Our vision is a world where everybody lives longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer and money raised through events like Shine Night Walk is critical to making this a reality. Whether people walk for loved ones, for future generations or with friends old and new, they’ll be helping to power more progress – September 27 is Edinburgh’s moment to shine.”

People can also show their support by volunteering on the night. From helping to set up the course to guiding participants around the city, there are lots of opportunities to get involved, meet new people and learn new skills.

To enter or volunteer visit www. shinewalk.org.

Photo: Ian and Stacey Milton’s wedding day in May 2022 pictured with their children Ollie and Keira

Photo: Ian Milton will be the guest of honour at Shine Night Walk after cancer

Photo: Ian Milton in hospital getting cancer treatment, accompanied by his wife, Stacey Milton

Photo credits: Courtesy of the Milton family