British Man Told He'll Live, Very Upset

[Toro]

What do you mean I’m not going to die?

Big-spending Briton wants payback for cancer scare

Updated: 1:34 p.m. ET May 7, 2007

LONDON - A British man who went on a wild spending spree after doctors said he only had a short time to live wants compensation because the diagnosis was wrong and he is now healthy -- but broke.

John Brandrick, 62, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years ago and told that he would probably die within a year.

He quit his job, sold or gave away nearly all his possessions, stopped paying his mortgage and spent his savings dining out and going on holiday.

Brandrick was left with little more than the black suit, white shirt and red tie that he had planned to be buried in when it emerged a year later that his suspected “tumor” was no more than a non-life threatening inflammation of the pancreas.

“When they tell you you’ve got a limited time and everything, you do enjoy life,” Brandrick, from Cornwall in the west of England, told Sky television.

“I’m really pleased that I’ve got a second chance in life... but if you haven’t got no money after all this, which is my fault -- I spent it all -- they should pay something back.”

If he can’t get compensation, he is considering selling his house or suing the hospital that diagnosed him. The hospital has said that while it sympathizes with Brandrick, a review of his case showed no different diagnosis would have been made.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18533397/?GT1=9951

 

[snfu73]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18533397/?GT1=9951

That's...kinda funny... I mean, I feel for the guy and all...man...that's gotta suck...

 

[westmanguy]

I think he deserves to be 110% compensated.

 

[Kreskin]

I feel for the guy because you don't get to take your money with you when you die. However, perhaps he could've tried to lead a normal life and not quit his job. It ain't over til the fat lady sings.

 

[Zzarchov]

Seriously?

Why would you go to your job everyday, giving up about half of your remaining waking life, so that you can do something so horrid they have to pay you to show up and do it every day. All for more money, which is useless to you.

He should just sue for emotional distress, judges love to throw money at that one..and being told your going to die FOR CERTAIN, before they double check to say "whoops!" is worthy of that.

 

[Scott Free]

The guy was 62!! How much longer did he think he was going to live?

 

[Phil B]

Whatever happened to people accepting responsibility for their own actions.

 

[eh1eh]

The guy was 62!! How much longer did he think he was going to live?

These days that could be easily be another 20 years or more.

 

[TenPenny]

The guy was 62!! How much longer did he think he was going to live?

He actually admits that he pissed away his money, and that it's his fault...but he wants someone to pay him anyway.

I thought I won the lottery, so I spent $4million dollars. Who can I sue?

 

[Scott Free]

He actually admits that he pissed away his money, and that it's his fault...but he wants someone to pay him anyway.

I thought I won the lottery, so I spent $4million dollars. Who can I sue?

The funny part is that spending all his money is probably what saved him. Cancer can go into remission if people stop feeling repressed or stressed. I knew a girl that lived for years with leukemias; she decided to backpack the world and isn't dead yet.

 

[lysyfacet]

it sounds pretty funny actually, but i agree...he should have something given back to him for such false readings.
Altho i would have suggested him to go to multiple doctors and get checked. In a way its his fault, you can't believe everything someone tells you. It proves, we are gullable people, and always will be.

 

[Zzarchov]

Whatever happened to people accepting responsibility for their own actions.

Do you mean the Doctor who is given special rights and privelages in regards to peoples health due to his training? About how that person should accept responsibility in the same way as a malpractice?

A misdiagnosis caused a person substantial harm. If the Doctor had said "you are fine" and it WAS cancer, would you then still say "The guy shouldn't have listened to the doctor, he should have taken responsibility for his own actions in believing what the doctor told him"

 

[Viviand]

Yikes, that's pretty rough. I can see why the guy should be compensated, but at the same time I'm not sure he should have gone and blown everything upon being told that he would probably die within the year. There are so many treatments out there, there is so much hope.... I don't know, I'm glad I don't have to be a judge in this case.

 

[able]

I'm glad to see the welfare state is alive and kicking, the guy blew his money, tough. Whats next, compensation for failed gamblers? My God, he is 62, and still hasn't learned a damn thing. I am 67, and am presently building my own plane(not a model) and would like to know how many of you superior young ****s are doing the same thing. When I was your age, I knew this guy who became physically ill because he reached 30, didn't matter much though, because he was dead by 40 of a heart attack. I get a kick out of the youth freaks, because most of the ones I knew are long since dead. Believe it or not, you are only as old or young as you think you are. If you already believe that 62 is way over the hill, then I wouldn't bet on you reaching that age, because your brain is already ossifying. Damn, that felt good. Have to admit, I do get a kick out of the people whos parents died young, but still think they are going to make it to 200 or more. Give your head a shake, age is relative only to the person who manages to live long enough to remember the ones who didn't make it.

 

[Zzarchov]

What the hell does Age have to do with this situation?

If you have a year to live, it doesn't matter if your 20 or 85, in one year you are dead.

 

[I think not]

The guy was 62!! How much longer did he think he was going to live?

My grandmother is 86 and healthy as a horse.

 

[gc]

He got to enjoy life for a while...AND he gets to find out he won't be dying. This man should consider himself lucky.

 

[able]

What does age have to do with an idiot who blows all his money, without getting a second opinion? Easy, he gave seniors a bad name, and then he compounds it by whining. Guess no one is building a plane, pity, would have liked to share some frustrations. Glad to see you have a grandmother who made it to 86, gives you a target age. Where are the rest of them. Myself, I've died once, and almost died 2 more times after that, so speak from experience. A fighting spirit to live is what keeps you alive, and I don't think that guy has it.