Brisbane father Dan Ford given less than 12 months to live after tragic diagnosis

A Brisbane father-of-two told he has less than 12 months to live has opened up about devoting his remaining time to ensuring a future for his young family.

A Bayside father-of-two whose cancer came back days before Christmas has been given less than 12 months to live by his doctors.

But rather than give in to despair, Manly’s Dan Ford has devoted his remaining time to ensuring his young family is set up to continue after he is gone.

Mr Ford was told by doctors at the PA Hospital on December 23 that he was on borrowed time after stage 4 pancreatic cancer spread to his lungs.

He went in for what was supposed to have been a routine x-ray and post-operation appointment, only to be admitted immediately after fluid was discovered in his lungs.

The news was a crushing blow for the 47-year-old, his wife Sinead and children Paddy, seven, and Leah, 28.

Mr Ford was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July, 2022 and in February last year his gallbladder and half of his pancreas was removed.

The carpenter also endured eight months of chemotherapy.

Dan Ford and Sinead Byrne with son Paddy. Picture: Contributed

“They gave me up to 12 months,” Mr Ford said.

“They don’t warm you up to the news.

“A lot of emotions go through your head.

“You wanna look after your family and a son who doesn’t quite understand.

“Now I have to sell our house to help my family be in a position for life without me.”

Mr Ford’s pancreatic cancer spread, which he said essentially meant “your time’s on the wall’’.

He said he was misdiagnosed, twice, initially being told he had pancreatitis before suffering terrible pain in his sternum in July, 2022.

After changing his diet in line on medical advice, Mr Ford lost 20kg and paid for an MRI through a private facility which revealed he actually had pancreatic cancer.

Dan Ford is keen to spend his last few months with his son Paddy and make sure he and the family are set for life without him. Picture: Contributed

“They reckon pancreatic cancer is the silent and deadly one,” Mr Ford said.

“We didn’t know (until he was diagnosed) what pancreatic cancer was and how important your pancreas is.”

My Ford priorities were to downsize the family home and ensure their emotional and financial position was stable so he could enjoy his last months with them.

“Life’s too short as it is without being cut short,” Mr Ford said.

“Every day is not a direct path, you have got to take every hurdle as it comes.

“My family has to witness all this, especially being in chemotherapy.

“There’s also been the torture of not knowing what’s next throughout all this.”

His wife Sinead, who moved with him from Ireland 13 years ago, said he was a terrific father and “home bird’’.

The family has lived in Manly West for seven years and has been active members of the Wynnum Rugby Union Club.

“He’s a really good man. He’s a quiet, humble guy and happy to be in the background,’’ she said.

Dan Ford and Sinead Byrne with children Paddy and Leah. Picture: Contributed

“His advice for all families would be to have their affairs in order from a young age and ensure they have things like income protection and life insurance in place.

“By the time you need it, it’s already too late.

“It’s scary to think what’s going to happen.

“The hard thing for me is navigating this conversation with Paddy.

“We had a wicked life here, living the Aussie dream and it’s kind of imploded.”

You can donate to the GoFundMe to support Dan’s family here.