Daniel Lavery has opened up about his journey after his daughter’s stage 3 cancer diagnosis, sharing his experience in a heartfelt blog.

A devastated father has shared his powerful journey as a ‘cancer dad’ as his daughter wages a heroic battle against the disease.

Daniel Lavery, from Cambuslang, started writing a heartfelt blog as a way to navigate his emotions after his daughter Erin was diagnosed with stage three lymphoma in August last year.

Erin, 22, first noticed symptoms in October 2023, when she came down with a cough that she couldn’t get rid of, but dismissed the condition due to her suffering from childhood asthma.

But by November, she noticed a lump on her neck, prompting her to visit her GP which eventually led to the devastating diagnosis the following August.

Daniel, a Deputy Head Teacher in Glasgow, has opened up about their experience in a raw blog titled ‘Cancer Dad’ where he shares his personal stories and insights as a parent navigating his daughter’s illness.

The 52-year-old told the Record: “It was quite difficult to navigate my own emotions as well as remaining positive for Erin.

“The reason I started writing was self-preservation.

“At the very start, it’s difficult to talk about the diagnosis. You speak with close family, but you’ve got so many different emotions. The easiest way for me to let my feelings out and deal with it was just to write it down.”

Doctors initially thought Erin’s symptoms were linked to an iron deficiency and a swollen lymph node. However, over the next few months, her condition worsened, she suffered migraines, dizziness, and extreme fatigue, forcing her to stop working as a nail technician for periods of time.

After a biopsy on August 9 2024, she received the devastating cancer diagnosis and began chemotherapy just weeks later on September 6.

Erin only found out about her dad’s blog months later. She said: “He started writing on nights he couldn’t sleep, just writing down what he was thinking.

“I didn’t even know he was doing it until one day he mentioned, ‘I’ve been writing.’ When I read it, I encouraged him to make it public. The intention was never to publish it, but when I saw it, I thought it needed to be out there for other families going through the same thing.”

Daniel admitted that initially he was hesitant to share, but soon realised the impact it was having when people began commenting and sharing their own stories.

He said: “I didn’t want it to be just about us. A lot of what Erin has done on social media is about raising awareness of what really happens during treatment – things people don’t talk about unless they’re directly affected. The blog became a way for someone to tell their story through it.”

Erin added: “It also shows a different perspective because family members don’t always admit they’re struggling too. But cancer affects them just as much. It’s about explaining to people that it’s okay to struggle, to have these emotions too.

“I think that’s why the blog became so popular—because so many people who have had a loved one with cancer could really relate to what my dad was writing.”

Daniel’s posts have been met with an amazing response, with several people sharing their own stories and thanking him for his honesty.

One reader wrote: “So accurately written, it took my breath away. Us oncology mums and dads have no choice but to accept what is happening and find a way to live with it. Until my child’s diagnosis, I had never fully understood how important hope is. It’s what we cling to – it’s what keeps us going.

“My daughter is now seven years clear, and she is thriving. The worry never leaves, but life is so much richer. I wish your beautiful girl and your family all the very best—she is a total credit to you. Lots of love from one Scottish family to another x.”

Another added: “I enjoyed reading your blog. It’s raw yet hopeful. As a parent walking a similar path, most days I feel devastated, exhausted, and hollow. Every day, I pick myself up and we go again—with hope and fierce determination—but it is hard!

“You’ve inspired me to keep some notes and get my feelings out of my head and heart. Reading your blog is as accurate as it gets. Nothing runs in a straight line, not even your thoughts and emotions. Top Dad – keep inspiring”.