World

Oops: Man Spends Life Savings After Wrongly Told He Has 3 Months to Live

Dave Ismay is a British comedian. But what happened to him isn’t that funny.

Ismay was told that heavy drinking had damaged his liver and he only had three months to live. So he did what any sensible person might do: he made a “bucket list” — a list of things he wanted to do before he died, such as own a Mercedes, write a book, and star in a play.

He did those, and paid a hefty price. But there’s just one problem, he’s not dying.

From London’s Daily Mail:

Ten weeks after his initial earth-shattering diagnosis, liver biopsy results revealed he was suffering from hereditary haemochromatosis – a treatable condition which leaves too much iron in the blood.

The condition can lead to permanent liver damage and other health issues, but if caught early enough this damage is reversible.   The treatment involves draining the body of blood until the condition stabilises.

Dave, who lives with his 65-year-old make-up artist wife Dobie, said: ‘When I was told this by the specialist I was seeing in Solihull, he told me I could celebrate.

‘But I said since he wasn’t going to be invited to my funeral, he wouldn’t be coming to my party either.

Instead or kicking the bucket list, Ismay has decided to keep working his way down the list.

Read the full story from the Daily Mail.

Comments (47)

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  • heavyduty
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 4:54pm

    I was just wondering why he didn’t get a second opinion. Seems to me that would have been the smart thing to do.

    Report Post »  
  • Bernard
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 1:14pm

    A similar situation of bad medical treatment happened to my mother. After a fall she was admitted to the hospital and fed nasally. Then within a few days I was informed that her basic vital statistics show that she is going to die and the only option was to have a very intrusive process of having a tube inserted directly into her stomach to keep her living. I immediately refused that invasive process as it would surely spell her death and had her returned home. When she arrived I fed her a small bottle of fruit juice and even though her eyes were closed she reacted with an intense and drank the entire bottle, then I fed her watermelon, cantelope, etc and within 15 minutes she was normal. I tell this story because many times Doctors do not have the time to give a correct prognosis and it is best to have a second opinion, especially if that prognosis is about ones life span. Mr. Dave Ismay’s tragic circumstances is partly his fault for accepting his diagnosis without question. That too is a chronic problem among patients. They seldom ask questions from their Doctors, taking the Doctors word as indisputable. Doctors too are human and can make mistakes.

    Report Post »  
  • eteme
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 12:55pm

    he had a heck of a ride though!! Now he gets to work for it back again..Should be thankful he isn’t going to die…

    Report Post »  
  • APatriotFirst
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 12:23pm

    Free health care 13? Where is mine at? The health care bills that are pouring in to me already do not say “Paid in Full”
    But they do say “Payment Due”
    And that is ok, I prefer to pay my own way through life.

    Report Post »  
  • seanpatriot
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 11:29am

    Can you say LAWSUIT

    Report Post » seanpatriot  
  • taz1414
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:55am

    now thats socialized medicine

    Report Post » taz1414  
  • 13thgenerati0namerican
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:32am

    Obamacare saved this man and this site does’nt have the decency to even write about it! This man was saved by free healthcare, and in his joy blew his entire nest egg to celebrate and they make up this horrific story about how he really thought he was going to die! no one has to die anymore now that Obamacare is here! We all have free healthcare for life people! get your heads out of your rear ends and wake up AMERICA! Wake up and enjoy the benefits of a Deity that is saving us from ourselves!

    Report Post » 13thgenerati0namerican  
    • Cathy E
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 10:53am

      If Obama and or socialized medicine is your Deity…..you are in HOT-HOT-HOT Trouble!!!

      Report Post » Cathy E  
  • felina g
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:30am

    Probably the best thing he ever did (in hind-sight). Bet he savored each and every day and just maybe that is the way we all should live.

    Report Post »  
  • Conserving Ink
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:26am

    I feel like I must be an oddball, I don’t even have a bucket list. Of course, living hand to mouth kind of precludes one. I‘m not sure how I’d feel if this happened to me, it must have been a very invigorating time.
    __________________________________________________________________
    http://conserving-ink.blogspot.com

    Report Post » Conserving Ink  
  • 13thgenerati0namerican
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:25am

    If I could get up out of this bed or stop eating for more than 5 minutes I would come out and fight you people!

    13thgenerati0namerican  
  • MikeinIdaho
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:21am

    The vaunted British healthcare system strikes again! Coming soon to a hospital near you, Obamacare!

    Report Post » MikeinIdaho  
  • HillBillySam1
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:09am

    Only in the world of socialized medicine can the phrase “Congratulations!! You’re going to live after all!” be bad news……

    At least he got a Mercedes out of it…..

    Report Post »  
  • chickenlittle
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:08am

    I see for once they just corrected the headline.

    Report Post » chickenlittle  
  • grandmaof5
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:07am

    Should have flown over here for a diagnosis before they destroy our healthcare system. Hope you had a heck of a good time because I imagine there is no recourse against the government controlled doctor; besides, his wages are probably so meager he couldn’t afford to reimburse you anyway. Whoops…..

    Report Post »  
  • aLinedog
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:05am

    That sucks. He is just screwed. Too bad he can’t sue the doctor…

    HEY! I have a GREAT idea! Let’s socialize our healthcare system! oh…wait…

    Report Post »  
  • chickenlittle
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:05am

    Can’t the Blaze find someone literate enough to write headlines for this site??? There are far too many “live savings” getting through to be just occasional typos. Or am I the only one this bothers?

    Report Post » chickenlittle  
    • statesrights
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 10:11am

      Looked through the entire article on that the people at “The Blaze” wrote. Might wanna get your eyes checked cause there are no live savings that I could find, in fact doing a search of the page reveals your are the only one to use that term. And The Blaze doesnt edit peoples responses or opinions. Plus this story is from the UK, they spell honor = honour.

      This is a case of medicine gone wrong, here in the US we could sue the doctor and make their life a living hell, but where the government runs everything you cant sue them, tehy get a slap on teh wrist and continue to practice bad medicine.

      Report Post » statesrights  
    • chickenlittle
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 2:02pm

      As I noted a couple comments down from this, they fixed the headline when I mentioned it in the comment. There’s nothing wrong with my eyes… or my spelling and grammar… “Live Savings” is how it was originally posted. We all make obvious typos when responding here as comments. I’ve just seen too many rushed-through headlines and stories (written BY the editors of this site) for this site and it’s getting more frequent. Not a big deal, just not very professional. I also know they don’t edit comments… witness all the typos in your response to me. I guess I am part of a dying breed that considers quality English an important part of both print and electronic journalism.

      Everybody else was doing a great (and interesting) job of commenting on the socialistic medical travesty this is.

      Report Post » chickenlittle  
    • The Grinch
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 2:31pm

      Looks like the sky is falling and hit you in your head!

      Report Post »  
  • Tony
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:03am

    hmmm, what about the wife’s bucket list? It seems the joke will be on her since he spent it all on his list. Wisdom cries out to any who will hear to prepare our bucket lists so one day we may hear “Welcome, good and faithful servant”.

    Report Post »  
  • mankind7375
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:01am

    That’s gotta suck, but you look at it from his perspective. He is 64 years old, yes I looked it up, he did what I think alot of people would do. Yes he could have given his money away to family or charity. I myself as well as I bet alot of other people would like to go out with a bang and have some fun. Besides, the story said he is going to continue his bucket list, so this medical mistake may have been one of the best things to happen to him since it helped him to live his life in a different way that he would not have in the past.At least he has a good sense of humor about it.

    Report Post »  
  • GeorgeWashingtonslept here
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:01am

    Socialized medicine anyone?

    Report Post »  
  • DAYSDANREFUSED
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:01am

    So he was given a chance to really see what is important. Hopefully!

    Report Post »  
  • 13thgenerati0namerican
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 8:51am

    hahahhahahh

    Report Post » 13thgenerati0namerican  
  • john seven eighteen
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 8:51am

    I’m curious, how many of you would go and spend your life savings if you were given news like this, and how many of you would leave the money for your family (assuming you have family members who are not wealthy)?

    Report Post » john seven eighteen  
    • oldoldtimer
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:02am

      In the UK it is better to spend it, The inheritance tax is outrageously high

      Report Post »  
    • Joseff
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 10:49am

      What life savings? That’s now grocery money.

      Report Post » Joseff  
  • mgibs363
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 8:50am

    Oops

    Report Post »  
  • pecosval
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 8:50am

    always get a second opinion!!

    Report Post »  
  • Fletch
    Posted on November 22, 2010 at 8:48am

    the British socialist healthcare system which Obama and the dems want here

    see your future now

    Report Post » Fletch  
    • Marc Jacobs
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:00am

      This is the problem when physicians are as well trained as postal workers.

      Report Post » Marc Jacobs  
    • snowleopard3200 {mix art}
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:28am

      Another example for the future of your life; under the workings of Obama-care to come.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Shurmus
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 9:30am

      Maybe he might have done some good with the money rather than ******* it away…he kinda deserves it.

      Report Post » Shurmus  
    • masterzune
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 12:40pm

      funny i remember reading a story today about a woman in america that had to have both her leg`s amputated because her surgeon screwed up. welcome to pay as you go health care..only in america.

      Report Post »  
    • ANGELSHTFMILITIA
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 2:10pm

      wow, I would be pretty mad about the idea of losing my life savings

      from http://www.shtfmilitia.com

      Report Post » ANGELSHTFMILITIA  
    • dcwu
      Posted on November 22, 2010 at 6:53pm

      Beats losing its value to hyperinflation. He has a head start now.

      Report Post »  
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