Andy Rushton’s Journey with Pancreatic Tumour
My name is Andy Rushton, and I am a 58-year-old retired Communications Director from Blackpool. I have always been fit and healthy, going to the gym at least five times a week. I have never been one to visit the doctor unless absolutely necessary. In fact, I can hardly remember the last time I needed to see my GP. However, a simple stitch-like pain changed everything for me, and my story is a testament to the importance of early diagnosis and proactive medical care.
Ignoring the Early Signs
For a while, I experienced a mild pain that felt like a stitch on the left side of my abdomen. Since I was always on the move, often travelling, I kept putting off a visit to my GP. It just didn’t seem serious enough to warrant medical attention. However, in December 2024, after returning from a trip, I finally decided to book an appointment with my local GP. In hindsight, this decision and the actions of my GP saved my life.
The Diagnosis Journey
When I sat in my GP’s office, he was immediately concerned. He knew that for someone like me, who never visits the doctor, to actually book an appointment, something must be wrong. As a precaution, he ordered an ultrasound. That ultrasound revealed an enlarged lymph node, prompting my GP to send me for a CT scan. The CT scan, however, showed that there was no enlarged lymph node, but it did uncover something unexpected – a 3cm tumour close to the head of my pancreas. The symptoms that I had presented with had no relation to the tumour.
Following the CT scan, I underwent an MRI and a biopsy. Then, on Christmas Eve, I received the call that changed everything. The tumour wasn’t directly communicating with my pancreas, but it was identified as a high-grade dysplasia – essentially, pre-cancerous cells. I knew right away that I wanted it removed as soon as possible.
The Whipple Procedure
My surgery was scheduled for the 11th of March at Blackburn, a centre of excellence for pancreatic procedures. My consultant, Ms Sultana, was nothing short of amazing. On the morning of the operation, I even managed to get a workout in at the gym, sticking to my routine as much as possible and wanting to be as strong as I could be.
The procedure I underwent was the Whipple procedure, a complex 10-hour surgery that involved removing the head of my pancreas, 15 lymph nodes and replumbing my digestive system. Thankfully, I managed to avoid becoming type 3c diabetic, which can often be a risk after such a major operation. By Day 8, I was discharged from the hospital.
Recovery and Reflection
Determined to regain my fitness, I started walking 5km a day almost immediately after returning home – although my consultant wasn’t too pleased about that! Six weeks after surgery I was swimming again and resumed Pilates classes in week seven. My appetite has now started to return to normal after being suppressed for the first few weeks, and I am now taking Creon to assist with digestion. Despite the challenges, I feel incredibly lucky.
The actions of my GP truly saved my life. To put things into perspective, after my case, he asked a local GP forum how they would have handled a patient with my symptoms. None of the GPs present said they would have referred for an ultrasound immediately but rather either done nothing or called me back in six months. Since my diagnosis, local GP practices have changed their approach. Now, any patient over the age of 50 presenting with symptoms similar to mine is automatically sent for an ultrasound. This change in protocol is crucial because pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers. If my case had been delayed by even a few months, I likely wouldn’t be here today.
Advocacy for Faster Action
Throughout this journey, I have been fortunate to have the support of my long-time friend, David Slater, a pancreatic cancer survivor and Trustee of Pancreatic Cancer Action. David was upfront about the seriousness of my condition. He didn’t sugar-coat anything, telling me plainly, “There’s a high chance you might die during the operation, Andy.” While his honesty was stark, it helped prepare both my wife, Diana, and me for what was to come. Thanks to his guidance, I was well-informed at every stage of my treatment, which was invaluable.
Now, two months post-operation, I am more determined than ever to push for early diagnosis. Ideally, there should be a national screening programme for everyone over 45. Until that happens, it is crucial for GPs to listen to their patients – patients know their own bodies best. Early action can mean the difference between life and death, and I am living proof of that.
Conclusion
My experience highlights how essential it is to act swiftly when something doesn’t feel right. If my GP had followed the standard response and delayed my referral, my story could have had a very different ending. Because of one doctor’s proactive decision, I am here today, continuing to live my life, hopefully for another 30 years or so, exercising, and advocating for better pancreatic cancer awareness. If my journey encourages even one person to seek medical attention sooner, then sharing it will have been worth it.