A newlywed insists he “adored” the surgeon who performed life-saving treatment on him at a Clydebank hospital because the pair shared the same sense of humour.

Craig Devine admits it was good to laugh with physician Alan Kirk whose complex surgery success allowed him to get hitched to bride Katherine-Louise Barthorp at the Golden Jubilee in November.

It was a day the Clydebank couple feared they might never get to after Craig was diagnosed with an aggressive form of thyroid cancer in 2017 that resulted in several intense treatments, including the complete removal of his thyroid at the Dalmuir hospital.

Before his diagnosis, Craig had been rushed to hospital in extreme pain after falling ill at the home he shared with Kat, and their only child at the time, Oliver.

Glasgow Times:

Craig said: “I had been unwell for a while, I suffered with unbelievable pain to the point I was passing out, I was really ill.

“I was told I had pneumonia, pleurisy and influenza. I then had a scan to look at the damage to my lungs, that’s when they found the cancer.”

Craig was admitted to the lung unit at the Golden Jubilee where he was cared for by an expert team, including surgeons, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists.

Using innovative techniques, treatments and technology, the team provide vital care for complex cancer cases in patients across the west of Scotland.

As Craig’s condition worsened, the team needed to perform a complete thyroidectomy to save his life.

And, despite the intensive treatments, as well as quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic, Craig still managed to find some happiness and laughter with the staff at NHS Golden Jubilee.

Glasgow Times:

Remembering his time, Craig said: “It was hard being away from my family. My son was only three at the time, so it wasn't easy trying to explain to him why Daddy couldn’t come home.

“I did, however, get to know the NHS Golden Jubilee staff, including my surgeon, Alan Kirk. I absolutely adored the man as he had the same sense of humour as me. It felt good to have a laugh.”

While attending a regular check-up in May 2023 Craig received the astounding news that he was now cancer-free.

However, the cancer treatment Craig received meant that there would be very little chance he and Kat could have another child.

Despite these odds, the couple are now parents to two little boys after they welcomed their “miracle baby”, Noah, to the family in 2021.

Craig said: “When the nurse told me there was no more cancer, I honestly couldn’t believe it. It is such an overwhelming feeling to know everything we had been through together as a family had been worth it.

“I am the luckiest man in the world to have been given this second chance at life, and I can’t wait to spend it with Kat and our two boys.”

Thoracic Consultant, and Craig’s surgeon at NHS Golden Jubilee, Mr Alan Kirk said: “Looking after Craig throughout his journey has been a real privilege for our team, and now seeing him fulfil his wishes of a wedding and raising two boys fills me with immense pride in the incredible work we do here.”

Glasgow Times:

In a touching tribute to the care Craig received, the couple decided to celebrate their wedding day at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, an integral part of the NHS Golden Jubilee family, as the venue holds a significant place in their hearts.

New wife, Kat said: “Having our wedding at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel really brought our journey full circle.

“It’s such a special place that means so much to us, and the staff took the time to hear our story and understand the reasons why we chose the hotel as our venue.

“It feels like we can now close this part of our journey, and we look forward to the next chapter.”