Surgeon at Manchester cancer hospital gets heartfelt thanks from patient celebrating 5 cancer-free Christmases

A surgeon at a specialist Manchester cancer hospital was thanked by a patient who is celebrating five years free of the disease this Christmas in a heartfelt video message.

Omer Aziz, who works at the city’s internationally-acclaimed specialist facility The Christie, received the expression of gratitude from retired company director Neil Bridgstock.

Mr Bridgstock made it to the milestone this week after having specialised surgery performed by consultant colorectal and laparoscopic surgeon Mr Aziz.

And he was keen to share the happy anniversary with Mr Aziz and to express his thanks to him and the hospital.

What surgery did Mr Bridgstock have at The Christie?

Mr Bridgstock, 65, who is from Norwich, was diagnosed with rectal cancer in August 2015 at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

His goddaughter was working as a specialist nurse at The Christie at the time and she suggested he ask for a second opinion in Manchester.

It was there that he was introduced to Mr Aziz.

“The moment I met Omer at our initial consultation, I was comfortable and at ease,” said Mr Bridgstock. “He has such a calm and assuring persona, so I was very happy to go ahead and have my surgery with him a few weeks later.

“It was recommended that I have something called ‘salvage’ surgery. Omer explained that the abdominoperineal resection would be done through laparoscopic surgery.

“He described exactly what was involved and how my recovery time would be improved.

“I went home and watched an entire abdominoperineal resection on YouTube to understand the procedure from my perspective and the surgeons.”

Neil’s surgery took place on 7 September 2016 during a four-hour operation headed by Mr Aziz.

It involved the removal of the anus, rectum and sigmoid colon and is most often used to treat rectal cancers located very low in the rectum.

Following the surgery, Neil was an inpatient at The Christie for seven days and was then able to return home to Norwich.

Since then, he has had regular surveillance scans, at least once a year, to check that cancer has not returned.

What has Mr Bridgstock said?

Mr Bridgstock spoke about reaching the milestone of five years’ cancer-free and spoke warmly about Mr Aziz and The Christie for its efforts to treat him.

He also spoke about the importance of remaining alert to possible symptoms of cancer and how vital early recognition and intervention is.

Mr Bridgstock said: “I’ve been living in the shadow of cancer for more than five years so when I found out that the most recent scan was clear it came as a huge relief.

“Reaching five years after treatment is a major milestone for me and I count every day as a bonus. I really cannot thank Omer and The Christie enough.

“The Christie was simply fantastic. From the ward staff to the consultant surgeons and the facilities, I have never experienced such a calming, sympathetic, and efficient organisation operating in such challenging circumstances.

“Omer’s demeanour is quite remarkable. I witnessed how he managed to empathise and reassure his patients in such emotional situations. I was really concerned that I was having major surgery taking several hours but it became so easy to deal with knowing he was at my side, before, during and post operation.

“I went skiing that Christmas thinking it might be my last but here I am five years on, and Omer still replies promptly and with humour to my emails whenever I need a bit of reassurance.”

Mr Bridgstock also donated £100 to Mr Aziz when he ran the London Marathon this year.

“There will be times when a cancer diagnosis will not be as kind as mine,” he said. “That was why I sponsored Omer. Being diagnosed with cancer is a day no one predicts or wants but we need people like Omer there when and if it comes.”