999: Critical Condition: Stafford Cancer patient was ticking time bomb

A Staffordshire cancer patient today thanked University Hospitals of North Midlands for staff saving her life after a chance scan resulted in the discovery of a life threatening aortic aneurysm.

Her life saving surgery will feature on tonight’s (Wednesday 6 July) episode of 999: Critical Condition – the critically acclaimed documentary which is filmed exclusively at the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s Major Trauma Centre – on Channel 5 at 9pm.

Today Sally Marshall, of Stafford, said: “I went for a routine mammogram last August and was called in for a biopsy which is when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was asked to attend an MRI to check the cancer had not spread elsewhere and received a call 48 hours later to say they had found an aneurysm on my aorta.

 “Hearing this news was the biggest shock, not the cancer. My mum had had breast cancer and when I saw my scan I just knew I had it. I don’t know why but I had prepared myself for it but to hear about the aneurysm was a bolt out the blue. I had so many questions. What was it, what did it mean. All I knew was that it needed treating quickly.”

She added: “In the days I was waiting for my operation I felt like I was a ticking time bomb. I continued to work but tried to keep my stress levels down and keep as calm as possible because I knew that if it ruptured I would never know it had.”

Already at twice the normal size, Sally’s aorta was in grave danger of rupturing and Mr Richard Warwick, cardiologist and his surgical team had to navigate the risk of stroke and organ failure to perform complex open-heart surgery, giving her the best chance of survival so she could begin her cancer treatment.  

Despite some complications after surgery including a DVT, Sally recovered enough to begin treatment for her cancer and completed radiotherapy four weeks ago.

Sally said: “There were some days I felt like the grim reaper was following me round but hopefully the worst is behind me now. Mr Warwick is an absolute god and he was fabulous as were those who looked after me in Critical Care and on Ward 228. And more recently the breast care team at County Hospital have been marvellous. I can’t fault any of them, they are brilliant and I thank them for all they have done for me.”