John Dabell (@John

John Dabell

44.6K posts

John Dabell

@John_Dabell

Incurable optimist living with incurable cancer. Hopepunk, Grit Spreader & Force Multiplier. The difference between a warrior and worrier is a couple vowels.

Middle Earth, England

Joined January 2017

Pinned
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Dec 6, 2024
I've just launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe and I hope that you'd be kind enough to share, support, or donate. Thank you!
Donate to Help John Fight Incurable Head and Neck Cancer, organized by John Dabell
From gofundme.com
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Aug 24, 2021
Head and Neck cancer has ravaged my health and career. I have a third of my tongue left, half my vocal chords, a hole in my neck, a broken jaw and incurable cancer. But my legs still work and I just did a 10 mile walk. To the doctors who gave me 2 months - you were wrong!
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Sep 6, 2023
Well, I've made another birthday and to make it this far was never on the cards. At best, I was given 2 months. But thanks to immunotherapy and a lot of daily graft, exercise and positive living I'm here to celebrate 3 years later. I don't take this day for granted but I am going
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Oct 25, 2025
I'm now in hospital with a collapsed lung which Docs are unable to drain. Without an op, the infections will kill me. Op is tomorrow am. My family and I need your love, support, shares and help more than ever. Thank you. I will update further when I can. gofund.me/41874cbe6
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Jan 2, 2023
3 years ago today I was given just 2 months to live. Started chemo but this was stopped because of the pandemic and cancer spread at terrifying speed. Then had radiotherapy and immunotherapy which was lifesaving! Today is my 34th spa treatment & I'm feeling strong and thriving.
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Oct 31, 2025
I am now off ICU and on a ward. Still a way to go yet. May have to have a permanent feed to prevent this happening again. Extremely challenging situation and tough days ahead.
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Jun 2, 2025
Five years ago, the diagnosis was incurable cancer. The prognosis? Two months. Two months to say my goodbyes. That was supposed to be the end of my story. But grit always beats grim. And here I am - five years later: alive, grateful, optimistic, still battling, still believing,
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Nov 9, 2025
I'm going to show folks. 2 weeks ago today, I was in ICU with a collapsed lung and multi-organ failure. Life-saving expertise, care and support from so many talented people means that today, I'm walking around my local ponds with a chest drain and feeding tube - managed to do 2.5
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Nov 1, 2025
Despite zero sleep being in hospital, I somehow keep going. Trying really hard to get through this ordeal.
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Oct 30, 2025
Still in ICU but off ventilator. In a bad way. Had multiple organ failure and life-saving op. Told I'm doing well but it doesn't feel like that. Being fed through my nose. This is the most undignified experience of my life. Need help with all personal care. No photo. Too rough.
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Dec 31, 2023
New Year 4 years ago I was told I had incurable cancer with 2 months to live and was put on palliative care. Talk about knocked sideways. I had chemo which was then stopped because of lockdown and my cancer grew rapidly. I didn't give up, and neither did my fabulous oncologist. I
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Nov 10, 2025
Not as far today, too tired. Post box and back. Nice to see the rain in person again.
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Jul 23, 2024
Cancer said, "Stay at home, play it safe, don't take the risk, you'll be knackered, it won't be worth it." I said, "No. I'm going on holiday and I'm going to have a great time." .......and I have!
John Dabell
@John_Dabell
Nov 10, 2025
Without my wife, I'd be long gone. She is keeping me alive. She is a lifesaver and doing an amazingly extraordinary job looking after me. Here we are, just a couple of months ago not knowing what was on the horizon.