This year, on 17 July, I went to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) for a colonoscopy. For the uninitiated it’s where a highly trained individual sticks a camera up your bottom. Take it from me, it’s really quite painless, but relatively interesting as you can see your insides on a TV screen. Why, you may ask, did I need this intrusion to my dignity?
I recently turned 60 and the NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme sent me a little pack asking me for stool samples. I have to admit it was 2 weeks before I got round to collecting the samples, which is a very simple procedure, but eventually I sent them off. Pretty quickly after that I got another little pack saying my sample was irregular, please repeat.
I was un-phased as I had absolutely no symptoms, I had run the Brighton Marathon in 2016 and this June I walked 200 miles on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast in 5 days. I’ve never smoked, I eat well and exercise at the gym and run regularly. Why should I be worried? “Admin error” was the most I thought about it. I repeated the stool collection, where you put a little bit of poo on a cardboard stick.
My diagnosis
Shortly after, I was called into the hospital for the internal film show. As the colonoscopy was drawing to a conclusion, I was still expecting the endoscopist to say “There you go Shane, all clear… off you go”. What she said, in fact was: “Well, Shane, I’m afraid that you have got a tumour that is 3 centimetres across and it is malignant.” I looked at her with disbelief and I said slowly, “Does that mean I’ve got cancer?” She responded, “Yes, I’m afraid, that means you’ve got cancer.”
I’m a psychotherapist and fairly emotionally well balanced. Initially I thought “Cancer means death!” Then I thought, “If I’m going to die it’s bloody unfair, I’m only 60 and I’ve just got my life in a good place, but if I’m going to go, I’m going to go.” All thoughts of my future were put on hold. Any hopes of post retirement travelling and holding my [not yet born] grandchildren evaporated.
I waited for my CT scan. It came and went. The consultant, who was great, said: “Yes it was a sizable tumour, but the cancer hasn’t spread and hopefully we’ve got it early.” This did quell my fears slightly.
On 21 August 2017 I went in for my operation.
At this juncture I’ll just give a big ‘thank you’ to all involved, the pre-operative staff, the surgical team, the colorectal nurses and those wonderful people on Dilham Ward at NNUH. You’re all great.
The operation was a success, but I still didn’t know if the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes (still not sure what they are). If it has spread, then it’s possibly chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Now, while this would be an inconvenience I knew I’d adjust. It was the sword of Damocles hanging over me that was weighing heavily within me. Did I still have cancer?
The Wednesday before my son’s wedding the consultant contacted me to tell me that I was clear and he only wanted to see me for a check-up in December. So, apart from regular checks, I could go back to getting on with my life and planning ahead. The relief was so intense I couldn’t wipe the stupid big grin off my face for several days. A palpable release swept through my soul.
Being lucky?
Boy, was I lucky. Or was I lucky? I know people who have had the test kit sent to them and just not bothered, or said it’s too embarrassing, or they are afraid of getting the bad news about the ‘Big C’.
No, I wasn’t lucky, I took the test despite assuming that there was nothing wrong with me because I had no symptoms and felt fit. I urge everyone to think really carefully about taking the test when it comes through the post. If I had not taken it, my cancer would have spread and I would have got the pain and the symptoms… it could then have been too late.
Those poo sticks saved my life.
This article and photo are © Shane Lutkin 2017 and excluded from re-use under the Open Government Licence.
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4 comments
Comment by Sam posted on
Great and informative article to read . Thanks.
Comment by Martin Hardy posted on
Martin Hardy Derby.i am 55 and was sent a BowelbCancer Screening invitation, which was an endoscopy, I like Shane thought no symptoms no problem, however the team found a big Polyp so I had to have a full Colonoscopy at Derby Royal Hospital,this was to see anymore issues and remove the offender, 4 polyps found, and removed painlessly with out sedation which is offered.The removed polyps where sent to histology where 3 where benign but one the biggy had cancer cells in but where contained in the polyp head, I then had a CT scan to see if anything had spread to organs and lymph nodes but thankfully all ok, I have to go in around 3 months to see if the nasty one is growing back but I will remain positive that it will be ok, I want to thank everyone involved with the screening programme in Derby that took care of me, as if I had waited for the poo sticks it may not f been too late??
Comment by Shane Lutkin posted on
Hi Lizzy, Thanks for your kind comments. Lets hope it encourages others to take the test. Take care Shane
Comment by Lizzy Daw posted on
What an uplifting article! Yes, it isn't very pleasant but there is a less messy test on the horizon which may help uptake but even so, well worth doing. So pleased it has worked out well for Shane.