"Because I was taking low doses of a cytotoxic drug, which was extremely effective in containing my serious psoriasis (chronic skin disease), I went for an annual routine liver scan. There had always been a trouble-free formality and at first, when the radiologist pointed out a spherical patch on the nearby kidney, I thought perhaps I had a cyst. As I was taking a drug used in chemotherapy, I thought I was safe from the possibility of cancer. I had no symptoms and I thought the flashing abnormalities showing in the liver scan must be due to mild sclerosis, which would mean I would have to stop taking the drug. This was my main anxiety.

I was referred for further tests, but it was not until seeing a liver specialist to discuss the results, that the truth dawned. A third of my liver was completely non-functional. There must be an obstruction blocking the drainage of the bile duct for the left lobe. It was likely that the kidney lump was a primary cancer and that there was a secondary tumour in the liver. The kidney biopsy confirmed cancer, but the whole kidney could be removed and there was a surgeon in Guildford who might be able to remove the failed section of the liver.

From the moment my husband and I met Nariman Karanjia he inspired trust and confidence. He explained that the last tests showed that half the liver had failed and that until operating, the full damage would not be clear. On this basis the children, all three returning from college, gathered, shocked but mutually supportive, to spend family time (and watch the World Cup) before my surgery.

The time following surgery is blurred, but I remember great kindness and good humour from the staff. It had taken 10 hours and two surgeons and 60% of the liver was removed. The tumour was in the bile duct itself, with no visible spread to the liver tissue and the whole bile duct had been removed and a new drain constructed from duodenum. Only a third of the liver was essential to function and there would be some regeneration.

The tumour was also a primary not secondary growth. This led to the conclusion that the cytotoxic drug had disrupted my immune system and caused abnormal growth patterns. This also had implications for recovery, which included jaundice and pneumonia and some further surgical intervention to repair a leak. A further, non-malignant growth on a parathyroid gland added complication to the process of recovery leading to three months in hospital, persistent sickness and difficulty re-educating eating habits. Throughout all this Nariman Karanjia’s care and concern never wavered. He was optimistic about the prognosis, once I was off the cytotoxic drug.

After discussion and advice I opted to undergo chemotherapy as a precaution against the possibility that there might have been unseen spread into the liver surrounding the bile duct. This has been a mixed experience, with periods of dreary sickness and all the other unpleasant side effects, but also times of relative normality. I hibernated throughout winter, sleeping fourteen hours in every twenty-four.

I was aware of many other people coping without complaint and of solidarity with others who have had treatment. People have accepted of me with or without a wig, dependant more on the temperature than appearance. I was able to go out locally when I felt well but avoided planned outings after having to cancel a couple of major arrangements.

Now it is all over and I have been given the all clear subject to regular screening. The psoriasis is re-emerging and new treatments have been discussed, but this seems much less significant after surviving life-threatening illness and surgery. It is amazing to feel well and energetic and I’m enjoying the bonus of being slimmer.

Over the last year I have been awed by the astonishing love and kindness of family and friends. I have learned how much goodness there is and I feel privileged to have had such wonderful care from an exceptional surgeon..”