Life-saving surgery for woman who couldn’t eat for a year
A life-changing procedure has allowed a woman to eat properly for the first time in more than a year.
Kay Reynolds, 80, had her last proper meal on Christmas Day in 2023 after which she suffered severe stomach pain every time she ate.
“Mum was slowly wasting away in front of us and the hospital kept saying they couldn’t find anything wrong,” said daughter Jacqueline Luckhurst.
A scan finally revealed a rare condition affecting one-in-a-thousand people called Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia.
Closer inspection revealed two arteries supplying blood and oxygen to Kay’s intestine were blocked.
Her weight had by now dropped from 182 pounds to less than 100.
Mr Selva Theivacumar, a lead consultant in vascular and endovascular surgery at Northwick Park Hospital, said: “Kay was referred with possible Chronic Mesenteric Ischaemia after previous tests has ruled out cancer and other serious bowel conditions.
“It was clear when I saw her that the blood flow to her bowel was so low it didn’t have enough oxygen to function.
The combination of her age and frailty meant any complication could have resulted in her death. “It was a tough call but I’m glad I took the decision to go ahead after explaining the risks to Kay.
She told me she wasn’t ready to give up on life and she kept her word.” The three-hour endovascular procedure, which used minimally invasive surgery to restore proper flow of blood, brought instantaneous relief.
Jacqueline added: “Mum was white as a sheet when she went in but looked ten years young after the procedure and had a meal later that day.” “They started her off on pureed food and she got a taste for Skips and Wotsits because they melted in her mouth and, hey presto, instant pureed food. She still keeps a few bags to hand at home.”
Mr Theivacumar said Bowel Ischemia - particularly Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia - is significantly underdiagnosed, and that health education among medical professionals should be strengthened.