A MAN has died days after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Gerald Green, 21, was experiencing back ache and thought he just “needed a new bed” days leading up to his death.
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But Gerald, from Paisley in Renfrewshire, Scotland, became more concerned once he started vomiting.
He hid his symptoms from his parents – but they quickly discovered the truth after finding out he’d been coughing up blood.
His worried mum, Paula, rushed Gerald to the Royal Alexandra Hospital on January 19.
Doctors discovered he suffered from severe anaemia and put him through surgery to drain his kidneys.
While on the operating table, Gerald stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated.
In a desperate bid to save his life, the medics were forced to put him in an induced coma.
When awoken from coma, the patient had to undergo a week of testing and anxious waiting before learning of his devastating diagnosis.
Following his diagnosis with an aggressive form of cancer, Gerald had to be transferred to St Vincent’s Hospice as his incurable disease was spreading rapidly.
Only hours after his arrival, the man tragically passed away on January 30.
His bereaved parents are now urging young people to take any symptoms seriously.
Gerald’s cousin Ailley Colquhoun told the Record: “When my auntie Paula found out Gerald had been hiding the fact he had blood in his sick, she immediately took him to hospital.
“He was obviously scared when he hid it so we’re urging anyone who has any symptoms like his to get checked out immediately, before it’s too late.”
The heartbroken family had learnt “there was nothing they could do for Gerald” and the disease had already spread everywhere in his bones and blood.
Ailley said: “Our whole family were with him when he died.
“He told us he loved us and he said goodbye. Those were his last words.
“He passed away a few hours later.”
Ailley continued: “It was so quick, it’s hard to take in that he’s actually gone. We’re all in shock.”
The devastated parents have now set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for the funeral and give Gerard a “send off he deserves”.
In a heart-wrecking tribute, the cousin has revealed that Gerard was a “great footballer” and played throughout school.
But he was recently forced to give it up to care for his father, Gerry, who had suffered a stroke.
Ailley added: “Gerald was the youngest in the family and he was Paula and Gerry’s only son.
“He was a funny, cheeky lad. He loved his dogs and St Mirren FC.
“He was always up for a laugh and very easy going. He never took life too seriously. Everyone always says how polite and kind he was.
“He had his whole life ahead of him but he was unaware of what was going on until last week. It’s just unbelievably sad.”
