GCXZ

"It was awful because I was having to watch my wife Kali do all these things and I was unable to help.

"While you're on the treatment, they have to check you with a Geiger counter every day to see how radioactive you are and if you're safe to be around people."

Mr Innes, who owns publishers My Little Big Town, underwent three weeks of cancer treatment that included daily dosage of radioiodine tablets.

The strength of the pills were enough to cause potentially fatal health problems if he got too close to his son.

Mr Innes said: "It was a complete bolt from the blue. It's like a hammer blow. I'd never in a million years have expected it. You think that's the sort of thing that happens to other people, not you.

"I found out I had cancer two weeks before my son was due so it completely knocked me for six. All I was thinking was 'am I going to see my son grow up?' or 'am I going to see him born?'

"I'd had a lump on my neck for a couple of months before but I hadn't really thought anything about it. I felt fine.

"Then I finally went to the doctor, he said 'we'd better get it checked out' and it turned out it was cancer. It's hard to take in at first."

After the initial diagnosis, he was soon operated on at Hull's Castle Hill Hospital new cancer facility where specialists removed his tonsils, thyroid and the lymph nodes.

Mr Innes was able to be with his wife for the birth, rushing from Castle Hill to Hull Royal Infirmary for the arrival.

He is now waiting on his final results due this month as he has finally been able to enjoy spending some quality time with his wife and son.