I have F.A.P and I was given the diagnosis in 1985, after two visits to the Old St Marks Hospital in City Road with Mr Peter Hawley and Shirley & Kay.
I had no problems at all, but sadly after the death of ‘our mum’ in 1984 from colon cancer, me and my sister had colonoscopies. I had lots of polyps and was referred to St Marks.
In 1987 I had my first surgery, Colectomy-Ileo-Rectal Anastomosis’. I was in hospital for two weeks lost a lot of weight had a few weeks off work and went to recover in Italy with my family …
“To be honest I didn’t really think much about it to me I felt lucky as there were no signs of cancer and all was performed in one go.”
6 months later back to St Marks for more bloods and DNA test was done and I got my diagnosis of FAP, I had the ‘faulty gene’ but we don’t know which side of the family from and were unable to use ‘mums blood’ as she had long passed – my Dad’s ok & so is my sister but then neither of us have children.
My Dad had Rectal Cancer and Liver Cancer and was operated on twice but he’s still alive at the ripe old age of 84 this year.
I had a J Pouch performed in 1996 under Mr Windsor and was once again grateful for the care of St Marks I have yearly pouchoscopy & upper endoscopies checks.
Now I’m currently awaiting to have a ‘full Whipple’s Surgery’ due to severe duodenal disease due to many polyps at the Hammersmith Hospital. I have also had my left adrenal gland removed too, due to a ‘mass’
I am very determined that my condition will not hamper me or beat me
Thanks for reading my Bio.