Page 14 - IAV Digital Magazine #612

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Granny Living On Skips As She Starved To Death Gets Life- saving Op By Aberdeen Surgeons
By Laura Ferguson & Ryan Thom
A granny has had her life saved
by Aberdeen sur- geons after surviving on Skips while she waited on
an NHS list.
Kathy Allan says she would eat two packs of the crisps every day as they were the only food she was able to keep down. The 59-year-old shed a shocking 12 stone during her 16-month wait for an operation due to a hiatus her- nia.
The gran-of-six previ- ously told the Daily Record she feared she wouldn't make it to Christmas. She begged health pro-
fessionals to install a feeding tube to bulk her up before the procedure. Kathy, who is from Ayr, had to have the
vital operation in Aberdeen as there were no specialist surgeons available in Ayrshire.
Just weeks later she had the essential feeding tube device inserted through her nose which meant vital nutrients could be pumped into her small intestine as she slept.
Her operation then went ahead on Monday, January 27 with Kathy boosting her weight from less than seven stone to a more healthy 10 stone 11. She said
that "if it wasn't for Aberdeen accepting [her] referral", she didn't "think [she] would be here".
Now on course to making a full recov- ery, Kathy said: "I feel alive again. I'm enjoying life. Before I was less than half a person. It was tor- ture.
"But it's like a second chance now. I'm just so happy I can see my grandchildren grow up, go on holi- days and make the most of everyday."
Kathy is on a strict meal plan which will see her eventually set her sights on eat- ing normal foods again. And whilst she
dreams of enjoying a Sunday roast or a chippy once again, there is one food she won't be returning to.
She added: "I don't want another Skip in my mouth as long as I live.
"They kept me alive, it's still crazy to think that. But I have a love hate relationship I have with them. I tried Wotsits and Quavers but the only crisps that would stay down were Skips.
"My family still wind me up offering me a bag but I just can't face it. I'm looking forward to having proper food again.
"I've got a strict plan that I need to stick to. I started off on clear liquids and now I've moved onto full liquids.
"Icanhaveatinof soup but I have to strain it first so it is easier to digest. The amazing thing is that since the operation I've not been sick at all. I am managing to keep everything down."
Kathy has thanked the doctors in Aberdeen for ending her agony after fear- ing she was doomed to starve to death.
She added: "If it was- n't for Aberdeen accepting my refer- ral. I don't think I would be here. I could feel my life slipping away.
"The team up there were amazing. I was only there for four days. I never even felt any pain after the surgery. It was an instant relief.
"I have to go back there for aftercare. It is a long journey and costs a lot to get up there and back but it has all been worth it.
"I look back on my ordeal and I still can't quite believe how much I had to suffer.
"There were so many days I felt like giving up. Luckily my amaz- ing daughter Samantha never gave up. I am so for- tunate to have her and such a support- ive family."
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine