Johnnie, Evelyn and Carol Meechan battling cancer at the same time

Johnnie Meechan, his wife Evelyn, and Johnnie’s mother Carol have now each been diagnosed with a different type of the disease.

The family are now urging people to check themselves for cancer as often as possible, saying: “We go through life under the impression that it won’t happen to us or that it won’t get any worse. It does, on both counts.”

Johnnie has been living with terminal cancer for the last six years.

Carol was then diagnosed 18 months ago and now, just days ago, Evelyn was given a cancer diagnosis herself.

The family’s experience with cancer started more than two decades ago when former Post Office worker Johnnie was first diagnosed with cancer in the late 1990s, with a malignant tumour in his right knee. The keen amateur footballer, who played for Lochend Boys Club, went through years of chemotherapy and major surgery before he underwent a knee replacement.

Not long after, he chose to amputate his lower right leg and the cancer subsided.

He continued with his life, met Evelyn and lived happily with their family on Coalgate Avenue until, in 2016, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called a neuroendocrine tumour, commonly known as NET cancer.

His world, and the everyday lives of his wife and children, changed completely once the news that the cancer was terminal broke – he was given just five years to live.

In the wake of the news, Johnnie began his fundraising legacy, Johnnie’s Journey, which has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities and people living with cancer in and around East Lothian.

Additionally, the 44-year-old creates and uploads video diaries to keep his followers updated on his battle with cancer, which he hopes his children will keep and watch forever.

Johnnie fronts his own charity football team and runs regular raffles and fundraising events across the county, including numerous Christmas foodbank appeals.

Unfortunately, Johnnie was told 18 months ago that he was not the only member of his family fighting cancer.

His mother was diagnosed with cancer in the lungs and brain.

'Very near the end'

She is now “barely still with us”, Johnnie says.

He added: “I have had a lot of messages asking how she is, she’s not great.

“I think my mum is very near the end of her own journey through this awful disease.

“All we can do is continue to be there as much as possible.”

It was just six years ago that Johnnie lost his father to lung cancer, and just months after his passing, Johnnie was diagnosed with cancer in the liver and duodenum.

Johnnie, who also became seriously ill after catching Covid-19 last year, said of his mum: “The battle she has had has been awful and the deterioration is frightening.

READ MORE: Johnnie Meechan's 'miracle' recovery after nearly dying of Covid-19

“I hate it with every fibre of my being and I am so tired of being surrounded by it.”

Just two weeks ago, Evelyn, known as Evie, was also diagnosed.

Johnnie said that his wife was battling grade 2 breast cancer after finding a lump on her breast this summer.

She was admitted to hospital for MRI and CT scans, x-rays, mammograms and biopsies.

Johnnie said: “Evie has been through the ringer.

“Evie has just finished her second cycle of chemotherapy last week and is suffering a host of the usual awful side effects.

'Kindness and warmth'

“It is a long path of gruelling treatment and surgery. The way she’s been handling it has been just amazing – all with strength, class, warmth and kindness, all qualities Evie excels in.

“She has a kindness and warmth rarely matched, has time for everybody, the soul of an angel, the heart of a lioness and strength way above what she realises.

“She absolutely will get through this.

“I’ve never been more in love and proud of her.”

On Saturday, Evelyn made the decision to shave her head with the support of her husband.

Johnnie and Evelyn are persevering through cancer for their five children: Jamie, Ellie, Josh, Sam and Maia.

The family added that cancer affected one in two people “yet we go through life under the impression that it won’t happen to us or that it won’t get any worse”.

“It does, on both counts,” the family added.

“I cannot stress enough, check yourself daily, never be embarrassed to get checked out when you are unsure. You could save your own life.”

Visit facebook.com/JMeeksJourney for more on Johnnie’s Journey and to donate.