Devastating diagnosis for dad: 'Now I fear worst'

A DAD is preparing for the worst after he was given a devastating diagnosis. Mally Rooney, 44, from Rock Ferry, spotted signs of trouble in July when he started coughing up blood.

- By JAMIE GREER

Mally initially didn't want to worry his partner Carla and their young family so he kept quiet about not feeling well. Mally is dad to Brody Rooney, seven, and stepdad to Ella Royden, 16, and Conor Royden, 12.

However, the illness continued. On August 5, Mally decided to take action and it was on his way to hospital that he realised how much trouble he was in.

Mally told the ECHO: "I was coughing up a bit of blood. One day, I said, I've got to go to the hospital, I don't feel right. I walked up to the bus stop and I couldn't get my breath. I was panting at the bus stop and that's not me. I went to the hospital. I had a punctured lung and it went downhill from there."