Tranent fundraiser shares great news his wife is 'cancer free'

Evelyn Meechan was diagnosed with grade two breast cancer in July last year and has been undergoing treatment since.

Evelyn’s wife Johnnie, a father of five, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called a neuroendocrine tumour, commonly known as NET cancer, in 2016. It was later revealed this cancer was terminal.

READ MORE: Tranent: Johnnie Meechan hailed a ‘local hero’ after foodbank help

Since his diagnosis, Johnnie and his family, who live on Coalgate Avenue in Tranent, have been fundraising to help raise awareness and fund research into NET cancer through the page Johnnie’s Journey while also raising funds for other good causes.

The Meechan family were hit further with bad cancer news in 2020 with Johnnie’s mum Carol being diagnosed with cancer in her lungs and brain. She died last year.

Evelyn recently underwent radiotherapy in January and February and received her results last week which confirmed she is in remission and is classed as “cancer free”.

In a vlog on Facebook last Friday (March 10), Johnnie shared the good news with his followers.

Johnnie and his wife Evelyn

He said: “We got a phone call back from Evelyn’s nurse yesterday (March 9).

“Evelyn spoke to the nurse and just wanted to know how things were doing after treatment last month.

“The nurse said: ‘I am really sorry; you should know this Evelyn but you are in remission. You are what’s classed as cancer free.’ Which is just amazing.”

Johnnie appeared emotional as he spoke, clearly relieved to hear such good news.

He said: “It’s been a long path but it is excellent, Evelyn is cancer free which is amazing to say. She’s to continue on with treatment and a number of injections and we just need to hope and pray there isn’t a return.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of her. She has been outstanding.”

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

Johnnie also provided an update on his own health, which he said he was worried about.

He said: “I’ve not been well for a good few weeks now. I’m feeling my stomach is bad with pain and I’m not holding meals down well.

“My breathing is awful and chest feels bad. There is a lot of things wrong.

“I have spoke with my GP and I am in for CT scans next week and have been referred to a gastroenterologist because there is a concern that tumours are pushing against the piping in my stomach and causing problems with my stomach.

“I’ll get scans to check my lungs because my breathing is just deteriorating along with my health. I feel it slipping and I just hope it can be fixed.

“I am a little worried but I’m just taking things one day at a time.”