A TRANENT dad who was diagnosed with terminal cancer has travelled to Aberdeen for an alternative treatment he hopes could give him more time with his family.

Johnnie Meechan, 39, is trying mistletoe therapy and will undergo an intensive course of injections of the plant’s extract.

The alternative therapy is offered by charity Camphill Wellbeing Trust as part of an integrated approach to cancer care.

It is not available on the NHS but is widely used in central Europe as a complementary treatment.

Last September, the Courier revealed that Port Seton man Dave Reynolds underwent the same treatment after being given just two months to live, and four months later was told he was in remission.

Johnnie, who has been chronicling his battle on social media with video blogs and updates, said he was not expecting a miracle.

His family said, on his blog this week: “We don’t expect miracles or a cure but we are hopeful that it will slow down the cancer, give us a bit more time together as a family, and help heal his wee body.”

Speaking as he travelled to Aberdeen, Johnnie, who is a father-of-five, said he would miss the children during the two-week stay at the centre but was grateful for all the support he received.

He said: “Obviously I’m going to miss the kids and my family but we have had fantastic support from so many people.”

Johnnie launched his video diaries on Facebook to raise awareness of NET – Neuroendocrine – cancer and create a lasting legacy for children Jamie, 17, Ellie, 15, Josh, 14, Sam, eight, and Maia, two.

He said: “It is about finding a positive among the negatives and making sure I create a lasting legacy for the children.

“If, down the line, we can set up a foundation to help other families, which is an aim we are discussing, then that would be amazing.”

Johnnie was barely 20 years old when he was diagnosed with a tumour in his right knee.

A keen amateur footballer who played for Lochend Boys Club in Edinburgh, he faced four years of tough chemotherapy and major surgeries which saw a knee replacement but did not alleviate the pain.

He was eventually offered an amputation, which he took, and after more treatment his cancer went into remission.

For 16 years, Johnnie was living cancer-free, meeting Evelyn, who he first knew when they were children, and falling in love.

But at Christmas 2015, Johnnie’s world began to crumble. A severe chest infection led to him being admitted to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a heart condition, which it has now been confirmed was probably caused by damage during his initial chemotherapy.

But there was worse to come, as the scans found something far more ominous. His cancer had returned and it was now in his liver.

Johnnie said: “If I hadn’t had the chest infection we’d probably not have discovered the cancer until much later.”

This weekend, friends are holding a charity football match to raise awareness and support for the family.

The match is being hosted by Edinburgh City, who have provided use of Meadowbank Stadium’s astroturf and their social club after the game.

The game is being held on Saturday at 5.30pm and entry is free. A disco and buffet will be held in Edinburgh City Social Club, at Lochend, afterwards.