BBC series to show how Peterborough grandad has been transformed by life-changing 18 hour surgery at Royal Papworth Hospital

The former builder (59) had a cancerous lung removed, but unfortunately the cavity left in his chest wall never healed, leaving him with a gap which pus is constantly flowing out of.

And after rejecting pioneering surgery to fix the problem over fears for his life, he finally took the plunge after what promised to be a fun, family trip out turned into a nightmare.

It was a decision which has completely transformed his life for the better.

Kevin, who lives in Eastfield, recalls: “I was offered the operation in 2016, but I backed off because it was such a big operation and I’m relatively young. I didn’t want to die on the operating table.

“I remember we went to Duxford for the day as my daughter had saved up for a Father’s Day present. 

“I’d been there an hour and my back leaked - it was the worst I’d ever known it. I had to buy a new t-shirt.

“St John Ambulance put a dressing on but that lasted only two minutes so I had to find another t-shirt.

“We went home straight away and I said to my wife ‘that’s it, I’ll take the risk and have the operation’.”

That was in 2018, and six days before Christmas last year Kevin was operated on by Aman Coonar, senior consultant thoracic surgeon at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and Professor Charles Malata, consultant plastic surgeon at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, with the 18 hour procedure only finishing at 4am.

The surgery saw Charles and Aman work together at Royal Papworth to take a flap of muscle and skin from Kevin’s back and use it to fill the cavity and plug the hole in his chest.

The entire operation was captured by cameras for a BBC series, Surgeons: At the Edge of Life, which began airing on BBC 2 on Tuesday.
The episode featuring Kevin will be shown at 9pm next week.

Despite the operation being a success it has been a difficult past 10 months for the dad of two who was initially taken into the Intensive Care Unit and then spent the next month in hospital, including over Christmas

But after being superbly looked after by the staff, remarkably he was joined on Christmas by both of his surgeons who came separately to spend an hour with him.

“That’s dedication,” said Kevin. “They’re the best in the world. In a million years I could never thank them for what they’ve done.”

Initially life post-surgery was difficult for Kevin -  “I slept a lot because I was quite poorly after the operation. The pain was unbelievable. I must have had every single painkiller Papworth had!

“My left side swelled to three times bigger than it should be. I had to have a sling because it was too heavy. 

“Gradually the pain came under control and after a week-and-a-half I was happy enough. I had a nice comfortable room and the staff are the best in the world.”

Kevin admits before the operation he was not easy to live with.

“I wouldn’t go anywhere or do anything. I was a horrible, moody person to live with. This has made me a better man.

“My family were fully supportive of the operation. My wife Lesley was worried, but once she saw me in intensive care she knew I would be alright and there would be better times ahead.”

Better times include plans to move to Scarborough with Lesley, while also being able to swim, have a bath and babysit his new grandson.

That will happen once a tiny hole still left in his back finally fills up in a month’s time.

In the meantime, Kevin is hoping that the BBC episode will help inspire others going through similar problems.

“If one person living like I am is worried about having an operation they can see they will be fine,” he added.

“I also thought I have nothing to hide and people can see how I’ve lived for 17 years.

“I’ve seen the episode and it’s very good.” 

Surgeons: At the Edge of Life, continues on Tuesday, October 13 at 9pm on BBC Two