Dad put stomach pain down to ulcers – truth was far more terrifying

Pete Dickson, 44, was diagnosed with fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (Fibrolamellar HCC), an aggressive form of liver cancer, in September 2024 following a CT scan that revealed a tumour on his duodenum.

This diagnosis came after nine months of enduring stomach pain and rapid weight loss, which led him to visit the doctor in July 2024, initially suspecting stomach ulcers. In September 2024, following the “devastating” CT scan, his oncologist gave him a prognosis of just three to six months to live, and he began chemotherapy the following month.

Pete explained that his body did not initially respond to the treatment, and a week later, he was placed on a 12-week cycle with an alternative chemotherapy drug, taken twice every two weeks. However, it wasn’t until his fifth cycle that doctors discovered he had a low platelet count, causing excessive bleeding, and he was advised to undergo chemotherapy just two days a month, at which point he was at his worst.

In April 2025, after completing his course, doctors ordered a CT scan, which revealed the cancer had spread – leaving Pete exploring alternative treatment, feeling he had exhausted all options in the UK.

His full-time carer wife, Samantha, 49, took it into her own hands to find alternatives and is appealing to raise £10k for a year-long clinical drug trial based in Germany for her husband, who spends most of his time indoors.

Pete, a former mechanic from Torquay, Devon, said: “I was completely fit and healthy before this all happened to me.

“My entire world has turned upside down.

“When I was told it was cancer, and that I had around six months left to live, I was speechless.

“But to find that even the chemotherapy was unsuccessful and that I’m basically out of options was terrifying.

“I’m so thankful that my wife has been incredibly supportive.

“She has given me hope throughout.”

The couple’s nightmare began when Pete visited his GP in July 2024 after suffering from “extreme” stomach pain and “rapid” weight loss, leading to his diagnosis following a CT scan in September 2024.

Reflecting on his symptoms, Pete said: “I didn’t think much of my symptoms and ignored them for a while. But one night, I woke up cradling my stomach, and it was unbearable.”

“I knew something was wrong and I was told it could have been stomach ulcers”

Fibrolamellar carcinoma is a rare liver cancer that usually develops in teens and adults under 40 years old.

It usually makes up one to five per cent of all liver cancer cases, making it difficult to treat, with the general prognosis being poor – at just over 50 per cent survival within five years of being diagnosed at stage 1.

Pete was given a grim prognosis of just three to six months upon his diagnosis at Torbay Hospital.

He began chemotherapy in October 2024.

“When they found the tumour, I had no idea it was cancerous,” he revealed.

“The CT scan confirmed it, and my wife just broke down in the clinic.

“I felt like I had to be the strong one.”

After only a week-long cycle, Pete’s chemotherapy was altered and he was placed on a 12-week cycle plan.

This involved him taking the medication twice every fortnight, which “successfully” reduced his tumour.

However, during a routine check-up on his fifth cycle, doctors discovered his platelet levels were low, increasing the risk of internal bleeding, and advised him to take his chemotherapy just twice a month, to allow his levels to rise.

“It was a complete knock-back,” he admitted.

“I was worried that not taking my chemo would mean the cancer had a higher chance of spreading.

“My entire routine was off, and I was at my worst.”

During his treatment, Pete frequently developed hives and refused to go outside if there was a cold chill.

“The chemo had damaged some of my nerves, so I was sensitive to the cold,” he explained.

He was forced to leave his job as a mechanic and would “struggle” to leave the house, often needing a wheelchair after just half an hour of walking.

“If I wanted to go outside, I had to cover my face with a scarf to prevent frostbite,” he added.

“I couldn’t hike or go on long walks.

“Everything I loved doing seemed impossible.”

Pete was dealt a harsh blow when, after finishing his treatment cycle in April 2025, the cancer had spread and he was informed that chemotherapy could no longer continue.

“I was then told there was nothing they can do,” he admitted.

Then, Pete’s wife Samantha, who had dedicated six months scouring the internet for information on her husband’s rare cancer, found a promising drug-based and immunotherapy trial in Tübingen, Germany, targeting fibrolamellar cancer.

The trial involves 10 weeks of consultations and spans over a year, with a start date lined up for next month.

Both Pete and Samantha are fervently working to crowdfund £10k to cover the trial, including flights and accommodation costs.

“It has given me new hope to know there are people out there working on trials and treatments,” Pete revealed.

“But it will be expensive, and there’s no guarantee it will work.”

He shared that fatigue plagues most of his days now, hindering his ability to enjoy beloved activities such as hiking or tinkering with cars.

“However, I’m determined to beat this cancer and will do whatever it takes to be myself again.”

You can support Pete’s fight against cancer here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fibrolamella-hcc-cancer-drug-trial-in-germany.