I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for UHCW

A FEW years ago I was experiencing considerable discomfort and my particularly diligent GP referred me to a Coventry-based consultant, who examined me and sent me to UHCW for scans to investigate suspected gall stones.

The scans showed my gall bladder to be clear – however the professional examining the scans suspected problem with my liver. The original consultant then introduced me to another Coventrybased consultant who specialises in liver and pancreatic cancer.

After several more tests and scans it was determined that I had primary cancer of the liver which apparently is uncommon in the Northern Hemisphere, occurring mostly in Asia. If my condition proved inoperable, I was given approximately 15 months to live with deteriorating health.

I was incredibly fortunate that my new consultant has an Asian background and spends time treating primary cancer in that region, therefore has the requisite skills and experience. He decided to proceed with surgery and a theatre was opened and fully staffed on a Saturday to save time as this was very much of the essence.

You can no doubt imagine my emotions when I woke from the anaesthetic to be informed by my consultant that the procedure had been a total success, the cancer had been removed and I needed no further treatment.

Subsequently the anaesthetist informed me that when he saw my liver he thought it was touch and go whether the procedure would go ahead but that I was particularly fortunate that I had such an exceptional, experienced and totally positive consultant carrying out the procedure.

I did have a few problems with the wound healing and I needed to attend the unit daily for a couple of weeks to have the wound redressed. Needless to say I am delighted I did not have to travel to Birmingham to receive this treatment.

My wife and I celebrate our golden wedding anniversary this weekend and I firmly believe this would not have been possible without the tremendous skills, pro-active determination and speed of action of the experts at UHCW.

I sincerely hope that others in the city are not denied this amazing, life-saving service. Ian Dunwoody Coventry