All was going well until, without ever feeling ill, I was diagnosed with a stage 3 oesophageal cancer on my 63rd birthday, in August 2016.

Some three years earlier I had mentioned to my GP - almost in passing - that sometimes I awoke with what I described as “heartburn”. She immediately picked up on this, and without any exaggeration, saved my life.

Identification

My GP insisted I had an endoscopy (camera examination down the throat) just in case it was something more serious. This revealed that I had a Barrett’s oesophagus within a hiatal hernia. This abnormality of the cell lining in the food pipe is not uncommon. I was prescribed omeprazole to treat my reflux and told that I would be examined again in due course.

It is important to remember that this condition does not automatically lead to developing cancer. But it can, and in my case, it did.

When I was recalled for a follow-up endoscopy three year later, I felt fine. The omeprazole had removed my reflux and I almost didn’t bother with the procedure. It is a good job that I did. This time it revealed I had oesophageal cancer.

The diagnosis was made at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford. Everything moved very quickly and many procedures on the NHS followed to determine what stage the cancer was at and whether it had spread. It was at stage 3 of 4. My surgical team were surprised that I had not experienced any difficulty in swallowing, usually the first indication of this cancer.

The seriousness of my condition was made very clear to me.

I was otherwise fit and well and, as the cancer did not appear to have presented itself anywhere else, I was told I could be operated on. This is major surgery, anything up to 12 hours, in my case to remove a large section of my oesophagus and stomach, the tumour being at the junction between the two.

My surgery was likened to a “train crash” and I was told that, being opened up from above my belly button, and separately, across my back from my shoulder, I would look as if I had been bitten by a shark.

It is worth mentioning at this point that in the seven years since my operation, much more can now be done by keyhole surgery.

My NHS team of surgeon, oncologist, specialist nurse and dietitian were excellent; matter-of-fact, helpful and encouraging. After three cycles of chemotherapy, I was operated on in early January 2017. More chemo followed. I felt beaten up but remained positive throughout.

Life after treatment...

Treatment

Obviously, I had to make adjustments to my lifestyle, particularly in relation to food. Seven years on I have been declared cancer-free, I am fit, active, slimmer – and grateful for the wonderful care I received at the RSCH. 

I am more cautious about how much I eat, but my appetite came back after a few months and I enjoy my food. After a while my weight stabilised.

I have nothing artificial inside of me – just the remains of my oesophagus and stomach pulled together to form a tube. Remarkably, the only medicine I take is a single anti-reflux tablet a day and a supplementary multi-vitamin.

It has been a roller-coaster ride. My wife, family and friends were a great support and I have nothing but respect for my medical team and the NHS.

I am delighted to have an opportunity to use my experience to help with those facing up to the challenges this cancer brings by being a trustee of our charity, PROGRESS.