Man Misdiagnosed With Cancer 'Lived It Up,' Now Wants His Money Back
John Brandrick thought he only had months to live; now he's suing hospital.
May 8, 2007 — -- John Brandrick lived it up, because he believed he only had months to live.
The 62-year-old was diagnosed with progressive and deadly pancreatic cancer two years ago.
"When you know you're going to die your world's all upside down," Brandrick said.
Sure that he was gong to die, Brandrick sold his car, got rid of all his clothes, toured his native England, and went out for expensive meals.
"If you're on death row, enjoy it," he reasoned.
Then, one year later, the doctors at Royal Cornwall Hospital changed their diagnosis to pancreatitis -- a nonfatal disease.
Now Brandrick is broke. He has put his house up for sale and wants the hospital to pay for his yearlong spending spree.
Brandrick is considering legal action, but the hospital says there's no clear evidence of negligence.
Ironically, the one possession Brandrick hung on to was a suit -- one he doesn't need, at least for now.
"I kept a suit, a tie, a shirt to be buried in," Brandrick said.