A Richhill man who was given less than 12 months to live more than six years ago has died away following a tremendously brave battle with cancer.
David Livingstone, who was 69, passed away peacefully in hospital on Friday.
In May 2016, the then 63-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, which had spread to his bones and lymph nodes. Doctors told him that he had less than a year to live.
Thanks to a ground-breaking clinical trial led by Queen’s University Belfast, David got to enjoy some of life’s great pleasures – seeing both of his daughters get married and meeting his young grandchildren.
Speaking so candidly to Armagh I last July, David recalled the day he was delivered the life-altering news and wondered, due to his age – along with the cancer then spreading into his bones – whether treatment was an option.
“Prostate cancer is diagnosed by a PSA level which is taken from a blood sample. A normal man would have a PSA level of nought to seven….mine was 3,495, so it was one of the highest PSA levels they had ever seen,” David explained.
Whilst receiving chemotherapy, a friend of David happened to catch Professor Joe O’Sullivan on a TV broadcast about his research into prostate cancer.
From there, David spoke with his doctors, who recommended him as a candidate.
“The treatment really turned my whole life around,” he said. “My PSA levels in a matter of months were down to 150.”
Travelling by train from Portadown to Belfast each day for the trial, David was one of 30 participants who received 37 sessions of radiotherapy and radium injections.
Although he admitted it had not been easy, David had the continued support of all of his family and stuck with it.
The trial has given him the chance to see both of his daughters get married and has seen the birth of two grandchildren, something which just five years ago he – admitting last summer – could not have fathomed.
Sadly, David’s six year battle came to an end on Friday.
He was the dearly loved husband of Phyllis and much loved father of Victoria and Andrea.
His funeral service will take place on Monday, August 29 at 2pm in Richhill Presbyterian Church followed by a private interment.
Family and friends welcome at the home of his daughter Andrea, 30 Old Mill Manor, Laurelvale, Tandragee, BT62 2LY on Sunday.
Family flowers only please. Donations if desired for Friends of the Cancer Centre c/o George McNabb & Co, 106 Bridge Street, Portadown, BT63 5AP.
Very deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife, daughters, sons-in-law David and Chris, grandchildren Ruby, William and Thomas and all the family circle.
From all at Armagh I, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences to David’s family at this time.
