Kathy Allan, 59, was stuck on an NHS waiting list and survived by eating Skips, as they were the only food she could keep down – she’s now had her life transformed by vital surgery
A grandmother who was once on the brink of death and survived by eating Skips while stuck on an NHS waiting list has been saved by life-changing surgery.
Kathy Allan, 59, said she would consume two packets of the crisps daily, as they were the only food she could keep down. The gran-of-six from Ayr, southwest Scotland was wasting away due to a hiatus hernia, which caused her to lose 12 stone during her painful 16-month wait for a crucial operation. She had previously spoken of her fear that she wouldn’t live to see Christmas.
In August last year, she pleaded with health professionals to install a feeding tube to help her put on weight for the procedure. It had to be carried out three hours away in Aberdeen, due to the lack of specialist surgeons in Ayrshire. Just weeks later, she had the essential feeding tube device inserted through her nose, allowing vital nutrients to be pumped into her small intestine while she slept.
Her operation then took place on Monday, January 27, with Kathy increasing her weight from less than seven stone to a healthier 10 stone 11. Now on the path to full recovery, Kathy told the the Daily Record: “I feel alive again. I’m enjoying life. Before I was less than half a person. It was torture. But it’s like a second chance now. I’m just so happy I can see my grandchildren grow up, go on holidays and make the most of everyday.”
Kathy is following a strict meal plan which will eventually allow her to eat normal foods again. And while she dreams of savouring a Sunday roast or a chippy once more, there is one food she certainly won’t be returning to. She joked: “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. I can have tin of 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 expressed her immense gratitude to the NHS doctors in Aberdeen for saving her from what she feared was certain starvation. She continued: “If it wasn’t for Aberdeen accepting my referral. 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 amazing daughter Samantha never gave up. I am so fortunate to have her and such a supportive family.”
