'It hasn't hit me yet': Kiwi cancer patient 'pretty chill' despite terminal diagnosis

"I just thought 'sh*t happens'... Even though there are no chances of healing me, I still have to be strong."
"I just thought 'sh*t happens'... Even though there are no chances of healing me, I still have to be strong." Photo credit: Supplied.

Daniel Greening is surprisingly chipper for someone who has been told he has less than a year to live.

Energetically talking down the phone from outside a Wellington cafe on a typically windy day, he says: "I'm well, I'm well, I'm well." 

If he's scared of dying, he's not letting on.

His optimistic attitude is something to be admired. He is focusing on the moments with the people who mean the most to him.

"I've always lived in the moment, I've lived like you only do live once really."

He's encouraging others should do the same.

"Embrace the moment, don't take time for granted. You never know how long you've got left."

"I've always lived in the moment, I've lived like you only do live once really."
"I've always lived in the moment, I've lived like you only do live once really." Photo credit: Supplied.

Eight months ago, while living in Brisbane, his home for the past six years, Daniel began experiencing cramps and pain in his stomach.

"I got misdiagnosed maybe three or four times before they found out what it actually was," he told Newshub.

 When doctors finally delivered the news he had pancreatic cancer after a series of ultrasounds, he says he was "pretty chill" about it.

"Just thought 'shit happens' really. Nothing really hit me - I don't think it has hit me yet to be honest."

He's taking each day as it comes with friends and family rallying by his side as he tries to stay positive.

"Even though there are no chances of healing me, I still have to be strong."

His first round of chemotherapy was extremely painful but puts that down to pain killers not working.

"I don't think it has hit me yet to be honest," says Daniel (pictured left and with friends)
"I don't think it has hit me yet to be honest," says Daniel (pictured left and with friends) Photo credit: Supplied.

He has since done another round which was "a lot easier" - but he won't be going for a third.

"It's pointless, if it's only going to give me a couple of weeks then I'd rather not deal with the side effects of chemo," he says.

"It's not going to heal me."

Daniel's best mate, Josh Luamanuvae, picked the 28-year-old up from the Brisbane Hospital when he found out about the cancer.

He told Newshub watching someone he calls "a brother" go through this has been the hardest thing he and their friends have ever had to deal with.

"Seeing someone you love being told they have months to live, seeing the effects this cancer has had on him is something you wouldn't wish upon your worst enemy.

"Some of us have known him since we were five years old, so to see him like this has broken us."

"Embrace the moment, don't take time for granted. You never know how long you've got left."
"Embrace the moment, don't take time for granted. You never know how long you've got left." Photo credit: Supplied.

The tight knit group of boys have rallied together for Daniel, who is inspiring them to hold it together.

"He has taken this challenge head on with a smile and a positive attitude that has changed how we feel, it's strengthened us and helped us pull through these tough times. He's been our rock."

Doctors haven't given Daniel a date or a time for how long he has left, but it's probably a few months.

"Hopefully a year but it won't be anything longer."

He'd like to go to Las Vegas, but doctors have advised against it, recommending instead he stay in New Zealand or Australia.

"I might be able to go to Brisbane and say goodbye to all the people I met over there, all my work friends and that crowd."

A GoFundMe page has been launched to raise money to help cover the financial impact on not only Dan but his family who have taken time off work while dealing with medical bills.

Newshub.