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Grateful patient gets on his bike to say “Thank you!”
Written by Communications Team   

Just five months after major surgery for bladder cancer motor mechanic Pete Smith will soon be cycling to raise money for the Centre for Complex Major Pelvic Cancer Operations for Surrey , where he had his successful operation in April, 2009.

Pete, 54, will pedalling on a series of sponsored bike rides during the autumn accompanied by his daughter, Jaime, 22, who is a keen cyclist.

The visit St. Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, on Wednesday with his wife, Alison, (16-09-09) was to see the two Consultant Urological Surgeons Mr Robin Cole and Mr Ravi Kulkarni who carried out his operation in April 2009 at St. Peter’s Hospital. He brought them up-to-date on the progress he is making with his cycle training.
 


Urological Surgeons Mr Ravi Kulkarni (left) and Mr Robin Cole and their patient Pete Smith outside St. Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, when Pete visited them to tell them how his cycle training for a series of autumn sponsored rides was going ahead.


 
Said Pete: “They know that I want to put something back, I really feel I’ve had a new lease of life. I hope any sponsorship money I raise will be used for specialist bladder cancer items that they may need, for cancer research or for the benefit of the work of their specialist team.

“The National Health Service has been wonderful for me and I want people to know that the care I received right the way through was first rate. Staff at St. Peter’s Hospital, particularly in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) have been excellent.”

Fortunately for him, when Pete Smith spotted blood in his urine he had the good sense to immediately go and see his GP. Within two weeks Pete, a non-smoker, saw a consultant at Frimley Park Hospital and after tests and biopsies he was referred to the Centre for Complex Major Pelvic Cancer Operations for Surrey at the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust in Chertsey.


Said Consultant Urological Surgeon Mr Ravi Kulkarni said: “This very aggressive form of cancer required a highly complex operation that is at the cutting-edge of surgery, and not commonly performed. We were able to successfully form a new bladder out of the patient’s small bowel tissue, avoiding the need for him to pass urine via a stoma and into a disposable urostomy bag for the rest of his life.”

There was no need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy and after three months convalescing Pete was able to return to work. Shortly afterwards he decided to join Jaime, 22, on her regular rides – and training began!

Readers who would like to support Pete’s sponsored 45-mile bike ride can make cheques out to: The Urology Fund and post them to: The Urology Office, Abbey Wing, St. Peter’s Hospital, Guildford Road, Chertsey, KT16 0PZ.


Bladder Cancer Facts:
  • 40% of new patients with bladder cancer are smokers.
  • 4,800 people died of bladder cancer in the UK in 2006
  • Stop smoking and after 4 years and the risk reduces by 40%.
  • 10,300 new cases, approximately, are diagnosed yearly in the UK
  • It is the 6th most common cause of cancer
  • In 50% of men with bladder cancer it is due to smoking
  • In 34.7% of women with bladder cancer it is due to smoking
Last Updated ( Thursday, 17 September 2009 14:03 )