A man said what he initially believed was acid reflux turned out to be an aggressive form of stage 4 stomach cancer.
James Bainbridge, a forklift driver from Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, began experiencing persistent acid reflux and significant weight loss in February, per Kennedy News and Media.
When his symptoms failed to improve, he sought medical care.
Doctors initially suspected the father of one, 35, had a hernia, but further testing in April revealed Bainbridge had linitis plastica, a rare and aggressive form of stomach cancer that had spread to other parts of his body.
Linitis plastica is sometimes referred to as “leather bottle stomach” due to the fact that it causes the stomach wall to become thick and rigid, preventing food from moving through the digestive tract normally, according to Cancer Research UK. It is fast-growing and often not discovered until advanced stages.
James’ twin brother, Tom Bainbridge, said learning of the diagnosis was devastating.
“It was the worst phone call, he just rang me and went, ‘Tom I’ve got cancer and it’s everywhere,’ “ Tom recalled. “It was tough to hear, I didn’t know what to say to him. He found it out all by himself. I think that phone call will haunt me for the rest of my life.”
Tom also described the physical toll the illness has taken on his brother, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy and immunotherapy and relies on a feeding tube while doctors monitor how he responds to treatment.
“He looks like the pictures from the world war when you see their faces — he’s just a different person,” he said.
Tom has since created a GoFundMe campaign to help cover household bills, travel expenses for hospital visits and, if the opportunity arises, specialized treatment abroad.
He said James’ insurance does not include critical illness coverage.
“He’s very proud and I knew he wouldn’t ask for help,” Tom said. “I’d never forgive myself if I never tried to do something to help him.”
“I want to give James the best chance to spend as much quality time as possible with his 7-year-old son, creating precious memories that will last a lifetime,” Tom wrote on the fundraising page, adding that his brother’s diagnosis is technically considered “incurable.”
“No family should have to choose between paying the bills and making the most of the time they have together,” he added.
In a comment shared on Facebook, James’ fiancée, Jessica Hill, said James hasbeen touched by the outpouring of love he and his family have received since launching the fundraiser.
“He is blown away by the support he’s getting and didn’t expect it at all,” she wrote.
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“He’s had a scroll through last night and read some comments and seen the donations coming through and is so overwhelmed by the number of people there is, not only people we know, but complete strangers,” she added.
In a follow-up post, Jessica urged others to be proactive about their health if they notice a sudden change.
“Please listen to your body. If you know something doesn’t feel right, keep going back to your GP, keep asking questions, keep pushing for answers, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. Early diagnosis can make such a difference,” she wrote.