When Scott Ruxton bit his tongue at work just before the country went into lockdown in 2020, he didn't think much of it at first. But when the wound refused to heal he started to get worried.
However, with the pandemic making face-to-face doctor's appointments difficult, the Blaenau Gwent dad-of three was initially offered telephone consultations. He was also prescribed antibiotics which proved to be of little help.
It would be several months months before the 37-year-old builder from Brynithel finally got a hospital appointment and the medical tests he so desperately needed. Unfortunately, the result of that biopsy turned out to be the last thing he wanted to hear - the diagnosis was that he had cancer.
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Since then Scott has undergone a battery of different treatments - including radiotherapy, chemo and various operations to remove his tongue, larynx and lymph glands - all of which eventually saw him given the all clear.
"But since then the cancer's come back and, three months ago, he got told it was terminal," said Emily Broom, Scott's former partner of 11 years with whom he has two children. The 29-year-old care home worker added that for the last several weeks her ex has been living at her house so she can look after him.
"Scott's been deteriorating recently but doesn't want to go into a hospice. He's always been fiercely independent and hates people fussing over him. So, while having his bed set up in my kitchen isn't ideal, it's do-able. The most important thing is he can be close to the girls and we all make the most of what time he's got left."
Emily added since they split up three years ago she and Scott have remained friends. She described how hard it's been watching cancer eat away at him.
"Scott was always the life and soul of the party and you'd always hear him long before you saw him. So that he can't speak now is especially cruel," she said.
"He has an app on his phone which he uses to communicate, but it's just not the same as being able to tell his kids that he loves them. He gets so frustrated with that and it's heartbreaking to watch him struggle.
"We've two girls together - Lily-May who's six and nine-year-old Mia-May. 14-year-old Jessie is his first daughter from another relationship," said Emily. "I can't imagine how hard all this is on them but they're trying the best they can just to get through each day. But it's a lot for kids that young to get their head around."
She added that the plan is to "make as many memories as possible while they still can." As a result, a GoFundMe page has been set up in the hope of raising sufficient funds to pay for one last family holiday together - click here to find out more.
"The community has been incredible, auctioning off a signed Cardiff City FC shirt - Scott's favourite team - and a signed photo of the Welsh rugby team, as well as organising charity fun days. There's actually another one taking pace at Llanhilleth RFC this weekend."
Thousands have been raised so far, she added. "Scott's been immensely touched by everything people have been doing for him.
"He even wrote a letter for us to read out. In it he thanked everyone and said that, although he's not got long left, he's going to carry on fighting. Joking to the last, he wrote, 'I'm not one to roll over and give up. So don't be surprised if you suddenly see me out and about, or on the TV news'."
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