Cancer Survivor's Dream Holiday Turns Into Nightmare Bleed

A celebratory trip to Gran Canaria for Peter Beetham, who had recently completed three years of chemotherapy, quickly turned into a medical emergency. Just two days into the £12,500 vacation, Beetham began vomiting large amounts of blood and collapsed by the pool.

He was initially sent away from a local hospital with a diagnosis of sunstroke. However, the following day, he experienced continuous bleeding and decided to fly back to Manchester on March 15. Upon arrival, he was admitted to Manchester Royal Infirmary.

Doctors identified an exploded ulcer in his bowel, a suspected complication from surgery in August 2025 to remove his pancreas. Beetham received seven blood transfusions and a minor operation. He expressed gratitude for his survival, noting doctors stated he could have died by the pool or on the flight home.

Now recovering, Beetham has future appointments for an iron transfusion and scans. The traumatic experience has left him too scared to plan another holiday.