An "amazing" dad who had been looking forward to spending his retirement in Spain tragically died after his wife spotted lumps growing on his neck. Andy Sale, from Childwall, had moved abroad with his wife Denise in 2020 after serving for 30 years as a firefighter for Merseyside Fire and Rescue, the Liverpool Echo reports.
However, in December of the same year, the 54-year-old collapsed with stomach pains in and was immediately rushed to hospital. After three months of tests, he was given the heartbreaking news that he was suffering from cancer.
Determined to "keep his dream alive", the dad initially wanted to stay in Spain, but was eventually convinced to move back to the UK by his family in 2021 after facing £10,000 a month hospital bills. Andy's wife Denise, whom he met at 18 and was spent 37 years with, said she was "lucky to have him as a husband" and that they never spent "any time apart".
She said: "He loved life and was dedicated to his family. He was so proud of everything his kids did and loved our big family dinners on a Sunday. Every single person he met would get a hug whether they liked it or not and everyone on his watch would vouch for that.
"He would never start his shift or end one without giving everyone a hug it was just how he was, he loved everybody. His motto was 'you may never have another tomorrow'."
Andy was a "fitness fanatic" competing in triathlons, marathons, and three Ironman challenges. Regularly raising money for charity his wife described him as a man who "never thought of anyone else".
After he returned to Liverpool, Andy was put on medication and his cancer started to subside. Due to his improved health, he was able to attend his son, Callum's wedding as best man.
Speaking to the ECHO Denise said: "He was so nervous on the day but so good. You could tell he was ill but he was able to do it and my son brought the wedding forward.
"We all rallied around him and helped him the best we could and it means so much to all of us that we got to share that memory together. He was a great dad and worked three jobs to provide for his children so we could go on holiday and give them a great life and that is what we got and had together."
Even though Andy's condition had started to improve, Denise noticed that the lumps on his neck were returning and, after a doctor's appointment, it was discovered his cancer had progressed. In October 2021 he was diagnosed with Richter's Syndrome, a rare and aggressive form of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.
Denise who is 55 said: "On December 9, 2021, he went in for a doctor's appointment and never came home. I was sorting his clothes out in the hope he would come home and I got a call from the hospital.
"I stayed with him for nine days until he passed away on December 23 and it broke my heart. He adored me, he used to say I was the glue that kept the family together and made sure we spent time with each other. We were soul mates there is no other way you can put it.
"His funeral demonstrated how well thought of he was because even the undertaker said he had never seen so many people. He had a full fire service funeral and there must have been 500 people in attendance. He was so well respected and I was lucky he was my husband".
Andy's family are now raising money in his memory and that of his friend Simon Slater who also lost his battle with cancer in 2021. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre who treated both Andy and Simon. If anyone would like to donate more information can be found here.
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