Bowel Cancer: The Great Escape

It was a calm morning in late September 2010, about two in the morning to be precise, when I spotted my chance. The exit was clear.

I fired forward at top shuffle-speed, catheter in hand and hospital gown flashing open my naked rear to the old women in the next bay. A spritely nurse who must've heard my slippers scuffing the floor as I dragged my feet along, sauntered past and asked if I needed help getting back to bed.

After some deliberation and discussion, my escapade of escape seemed destined to wait for another night. On the bright side the old women would, with all likelihood, get another chance to glance at my naked white glutes. Delightful.

It was about then that it became clear I was firstly more nervous about having my operation than I'd been letting on, even to myself, and secondly that I definitely had some kind of sensitivity to morphine. The stories...

Summer 2010

Admittedly it had been a whirlwind few months. At the start of the summer I'd sat down with my then-wife in Edinburgh's Western General Hospital for a consultation, upon which I was presented with my options.

Either continue having frequent and regular colonoscopies, with a 1 in 600 chance of rupturing the bowel lining, with the possibility of even the smallest oversight proving critical (and less frequent endoscopies - camera down your gullet); or have an ileorectal and colorectal anastomosis. That is, remove my bowel.

I opted on the spot for the latter with the proviso I'd think about it over coming days, knowing that right up until the operation I could change my mind. My mind, however, was made up.

It was a surreal decision. I never felt scared (unless I started to daydream about it too much...). In truth I'd been preparing for this for years so it wasn't a spontaneous decision.

An ileorectal and colorectal anastomosis is, in essence, having the main part of the large bowel, the bit that connects your rectum and stomach, removed and the two remaining parts sewn together. This, with the intention of reducing the chances of me developing bowel cancer. Of course that greatly simplifies what is a highly complex procedure, which for me was led by a professor who was and is a leader in his field.

The large bowel is the body part that removes liquid from your stool, meaning I'm now less 'solid' that I used to be. Too much information? If you think that's crude then that is the reality. I'm actually holding back in my description, but I promise my story doesn't get any more vivid. One good reason I'd suggest why you should make sure that, if you're of the right age group, you're picking up, scooping and posting your bowel screening test kit!

Less is best

So why go through this? Simple really. The less bowel there is to check the better the chances are of detecting every polyp. These are the growths that can occur on the inside of my bowel that, if left unchecked, may develop into a tumour.

Just days prior to my great hospital escape bid, my Grandad was cremated, which I wasn't able to attend - as I was, luckily, and I say that with honesty and no exaggeration, laid out flat in an operating theatre about to embark on the biggest decision of my life.

I say I'm lucky because my Grandad had bowel cancer, twice, and survived, dying eventually as a result of dementia-related causes. This was followed by my Mum being diagnosed with (and surviving) bowel cancer in her late 40s. Both went through arduous and emotional treatment.

While in hospital Mum was asked by a medical student if she'd like to take part in research looking at the genetic links of bowel cancer. Much later it was established that hers was hereditary, and as a result I had a blood test which confirmed I too carried the attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis (AFAP) gene.

What a load of FAP

Say what? Basically, the FAP gene can cause multiple noncancerous growths (polyps) in the colon at a young age. The attenuated FAP gene is a variant, resulting in the production of fewer polyps, with the age at which they turn cancerous also being slightly later (if you're an expert reading this then do comment on my interpretation!).

In each of my four or five colonoscopies prior to my operation, 20 or so polyps had been removed or destroyed (I had local anesthetic each time and watched it all happen, though that doesn't make me enjoy it any more).

So it was really a logical decision using a preventative intervention to mitigate the risk of cancer by removing the main part of my anatomy within which it is most likely to develop.

And I say lucky, because if it hadn't been for my Mum saying yes to a student's research then there is a good chance I will have been in her position in 10 years time, or sooner. Talk about mothers gifting life to their children.

Of course there are consequences to having had the procedure, including:

I always had a high metabolism but now struggle to keep my, ahem, physique. So it's normally people saying that about trying to avoid putting weight on, but unless I work out I just lose weight, or at best don't add bulk, no mater what I eat (mostly)

Eating a regular and often balanced diet is my best approach - and I've been advised to avoid weight-gain powders to avoid sudden over-load

My bowel moves about four times a day, it's a capacity issue. I'm lucky though that like most people I have control over my bowel movement. Some, especially straight after major cancer surgery, struggle to maintain that control

I get acutely hungry but then I've always had a high metabolism, so not sure if this is 'me' or the condition!

So what's my point? There are a few.

Don't ever underestimate the value the NHS adds to British society - I say that as an NHS member of staff (on secondment to the Scottish Government) and as a patient who's experienced mostly excellent and good, but also average and on one or two occasions poor service and care across the UK in the last 10 years

No matter where in the world you live, celebrate healthcare and social care staff from all types of roles and levels - the people who do everything to give us life, keep us alive, and when they can't do so, make our lives easier, better or more comfortable. You're amazing, thank you

Some families are fortunate to be untouched by cancer, and for that I'm glad. My step mum and cousin both sadly died of cancer, too young and too soon. And there have been others too. It's a tragic and often a difficult journey. Be positive and make the most of the here and now because as my Grandad always said, you make your own luck in this game

It's amazing what can happen when you start to talk. I don't always feel like talking about my situation but being open about it has helped, and not just me; it's interesting how mention of my bowel (or someone else raising the issue) has prompted others to open up or confide in me about similar situations, conditions or concerns - it's good to talk.

Which is why it's worth supporting the World's Biggest Coffee Morning, Macmillan Cancer Support's biggest fundraising event in the UK.

Macmillan provide a whole range of services for people affected by cancer, relying on their supporters for 97 per cent of income. One day, it might be you. So why not pop along to a coffee morning near you? Or to donate £5 to Macmillan text COFFEE to 70550. I have.

(Macmillan say: Text as many times as you like to give more. Texts cost £5 plus network charge. Macmillan will receive 95p of every £1 donated in this way. Obtain bill payers permission first.)

As Macmillan explain, cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face. Supporting them raise money will help to make sure everyone has a Macmillan team in their corner; from diagnosis, through treatment, and afterwards. That way, no one will have to face cancer alone.

Care to share

I decided to share my bowel story after reading about some seriously and terminally ill people sharing their experiences, as well reading news at the time that bowel cancer rates among men in the UK have risen by nearly 30 percent in 35 years.

I'm not ill, never was (other than the morphine reaction perhaps...) and would it seems have had as much chance of inheriting the AFAP gene if I'd been male or female. In essence my situation is very different to most with a bowel-related condition and as a result my outcomes and living experiences may well be different too. Nonetheless, this may be useful to others. For me it is just a fact of life I live with.

At least there's learning from this. If you do have a hospital stay in the near or distant future, it's worth remembering; tie up your night gown before going to bed...

Take it easy

Kenny

PS I love this You Tube clip: The Poo Song.

Further health service information if you live in the UK: