Couple go in debt from spending spree following cancer diagnosis - which turns out to be an error

A couple are $80,000 in debt after he was wrongly diagnosed with terminal cancer and they spent heavily achieving a rapidly compiled bucketlist.

Frank, 69, and Wilma, 65, who don't want their surname published, say they had "nothing to lose" after Frank was told in May 2010 that he had only a few months to live.

The medical advice turned out to be wrong and though they are happy Frank is alive, their quality of life has been eroded by a spending spree, which included trips to Australia and Fiji.

Frank had part of his lung removed following a brush with cancer, and after chemotherapy started getting chest pains and was short of breath.

He had an ultrasound done and fluid was taken from his pericardium - a tissue sac which surrounds the heart - for testing. A month later he was given the devastating news it was likely the cancer had returned to his heart and he only had a few months to live.

So Frank and Wilma did what many people would do - they made every day count.

Frank, who used to own a handyman business in Auckland, gave away $30,000 worth of tools, fishing gear, a quad bike, clothes and household items.

They sold their house in Wairoa at a loss of $70,000 and cancelled the health insurance.

Frank began smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee after quitting during his first cancer diagnosis.

The couple went to Fiji for 10 days. They blew $30,000 on food, a five-star resort and fishing activities, expecting his life insurance to cover the costs.

On their way home they stopped off in Australia to visit their daughter and two grandchildren.

Then they headed back to Wairoa and waited for Frank to die. Every morning Wilma would get up wondering if today was the day.

But every morning Frank would be feeling fit and healthy. His weight remained the same and his health was not deteriorating as predicted by doctors.

It was not until their hospice carer came for his monthly check-up - 23 months after Frank was told he was on his way out - that they discovered the terrible mistake.

Bummer he gets to live. Bucket list thing is a pretty good idea but on your own coin. They spent and gave away everything but they also went into debt with no plans to repay the money. Sue the doctor? Why is he responsible for bad choices you made?

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