Grahame back on track after cancer op ‘roller-coaster’
22 November 2018
When 58-year-old Grahame Mahrer discovered he had bladder cancer he knew he had a tough journey ahead of him – he just didn’t realise how tough!
Grahame, who lives in, St Helier, Jersey with wife Carol, travelled to Solihull in the West Midlands for an operation to have his bladder removed and a new one constructed from a section of his bowel.
But, as the already complicated procedure was being carried out, Consultant Urological Surgeon Mr Alan Doherty spotted problems with Grahame’s prostate and made the decision that it too should be removed.
Six months later Grahame, an Electrical Distribution Control Engineer, is back at work and making great progress on his long road to recovery.
He said: “It has been a real roller-coaster ride. First being told you have cancer, then the chemotherapy followed by an operation that was even more complicated than expected.
“I had no idea my prostate was going to be removed but, when it was sent for tests, it was shown to be cancerous so Mr Doherty made the right decision. He saved me from further treatment in the future and I really can’t thank him enough for his expertise and professionalism.”
Mr Doherty, who carried out the operation at Spire Parkway Hospital in Solihull, near Birmingham West Midlands explained: “After removing the cancerous bladder I then created what is called a neo-bladder using a section of Grahame’s bowel. This is then connected to the kidneys and the urethra to enable him to pass urine in the same way as he would before the operation.
“Removing the prostate is a logical thing to do at the same time as the bladder operation. Not doing so would leave a gland that no longer has a function, is often cancerous and would make it very difficult to empty the new bladder.
“If I had left the prostate in place then it would have resulted in a further operation which would have meant further trauma for the patient.”
Grahame first went to his GP after spotting blood in his urine. A CT scan showed he had bladder cancer and would need surgery so he began his internet search to find the right person to carry out the operation.
“Mr Doherty seemed to suit my needs perfectly and my consultant in Jersey contacted him to see if he would be willing to have me as a patient. Little did I know then just how grateful I would be that he said yes.
“The last year of my life has been all about me and people working to make me better - especially my wife Carol who has been by my side throughout. Mr Doherty has given me a chance to live a bit longer - hopefully much longer – and I really can’t thank him enough.”
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