You can certainly understand the decision to live the high life after being told you’re going to die Real Soon Now — and that it might be a bit disconcerting if it all turned out to be an error …
A man who said he spent his life savings after being told he had months to live is seeking compensation after doctors conceded they had got the diagnosis wrong.
John Brandrick, 62, was told two years ago that he had terminal pancreatic cancer, Britain’s Press Association news agency reported. He decided to spend his remaining time in style, quitting his job and spending his savings on hotels, restaurants and holidays.
A year later, doctors at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in southwest England revised their diagnosis: Brandrick was suffering from pancreatitis, a non-fatal ailment.
Having sold his house and car and the like, he’s now taken the hospital to court. The doctors say the diagnosis is still supported by how the test results came out, and, despite a measure of sympathy, there was no negligence involved.
(I think I actually got a tetanus shot at that hospital, on a trip to the UK long ago …)