Dad who started planning his funeral is told his cancer was misdiagnosed

After being given six months to live following a life-shattering stage 4 brain tumour diagnosis, father-of-two Callum Laing began getting his affairs in order.

What the 40-year-old never expected to be told while preparing to receive his end of life care, however, was that he'd been misdiagnosed from the very beginning.

Callum Laing was preparing to leave his two sons behind. (Reach PLC)

Callum, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, first became concerned for his health back in March, after he started experiencing intense headaches.

Upon inspection from his local GP, the father was referred to hospital, where he underwent a scan, during which doctors discovered a mass on his brain the size of an orange.

Believing the lump to be indicative of a brain tumour, Callum was officially diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma.

After he was told he didn't have much time left, he planned to spend his remaining months on Earth spending time with his wife and their two young children.

"When I was given the diagnosis the doctors told me I might not make it to Christmas and all I could think about was making precious memories with my wife Vikki and my wee boys Joey and Jed," he said.

Doctors found a mass on Callum's brain. (Reach PLC)

"They're only nine and four. It was a horrible, deep, sinking feeling. I wondered who was going to teach them to play football if I wasn't around."

The idea of missing his children's birthdays, graduations and weddings was almost too much for Callum to bare, but he put his devastation aside for the sake of his family.

"And as your kids grow older, their wee personalities change and they become different people," he explained. "I realised I wouldn't watch my boys grow into young men and that was very difficult to process. It scared me."

It wasn't just the thought of missing his kids grow up that haunted Callum, it was the notion of not being around to support wife Vikki.

Despite this, he insisted she not give up hope of finding love again, and even encouraged her to meet someone else.

Callum added: "I wanted to have that conversation with her because I knew I wanted her to be happy. The thought of her spending the rest of her life on her own made me deeply sad."

The 40-year-old had started planning his own funeral. (Reach PLC)

And when it came to the practicalities, Callum refused to allow his family to pick up the brunt of the funeral arrangements.

"I told Vikki I'd like to be cremated and I told her where to spread my ashes," he recalled.

"I told her to take some to Seafield Beach in Kirkcaldy because that's where my mum and dad walk their dog every day. I was thinking about how devastated they would be.

"Then I told her to find another place where she and the boys can scatter the rest of my ashes. She told me not to speak like that, but I just wanted her to know."

After making a visit to the hospital for a surgical procedure aimed at removing the tumour, however, doctors made a remarkable discovery in Callum's case.

He explained: "I was in Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary for surgery on the tumour and before I went under I was pleading with the universe to let me live a year at the very least.

"When I woke up I asked my doctor how bad it was and at that moment he turned around and told me: 'You're not going to believe me. But it's not a tumour, it's an abscess. You're going to make a full recovery'."

The father-of-two believes he's been given a second chance at life. (Reach PLC)

Admitting he 'couldn't believe' the news following a 'rollercoaster' health scare, Callum still insists he doesn't hold a grudge over his misdiagnosis.

He said: "I still believe I owe everything to these doctors. Now I've got another shot at life and I won't take it for granted. I don't think I'll ever drink alcohol or put a cigarette in my mouth again.

"It has changed my whole perspective. I have never felt so positive and energised."

Medical director at NHS Lothian, Tracey Gillies, also said in a statement: "Despite sophisticated diagnostic testing, in some instances, surgical intervention is needed to support a diagnosis.

He has launched an initiative aimed at raising money for the hospital's Department of Clinical Neurosciences. (Reach PLC)

"We are pleased that following surgery, it was confirmed that the mass that showed up on Mr Laing’s scan was not a tumour.

"He was treated for a brain abscess and will continue to receive care from NHS Lothian. We wish him a speedy recovery."

Now, Callum has launched an initiative aimed at raising money for the hospital's Department of Clinical Neurosciences, after having made several close friends on the ward.

He said: "By fundraising, I want to build a fun room for patients where they'll be able to get water or cups of tea. I'm determined that's what I will raise the money for."

You can donate to Callum's fundraiser here.