Cancer grandad’s miracle all-clear

CHRISTMAS miracle . . . Bryn Dunkerley and wife Carla

A GRANDAD is celebrating a Christmas miracle after getting the all-clear from bowel cancer.

After five weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, Bryn Dunkerley (52) was preparing for a major operation to remove a three-inch tumour that would have left him needing a permanent colostomy bag.

But stunned doctors were able to give him the fantastic news the tumour had simply vanished — the first time they’d seen that happen in those circumstances.

To his relief, Mr Dunkerley has been given the three-month all-clear and is looking forward to big Christmas celebrations with wife Carla (48) and their children and grandchildren.

The couple, of Den Lane, Springhead, want other cancer sufferers to take hope from their story.

Mr Dunkerley said: “It’s unbelievable. Christmas is back on again at this house. I feel like I have got my life back on track.

“It’s amazing it’s gone after five weeks of treatment. I think it’s a good story and people should know. There’s a cure for all sorts. Don’t feel down over it.”

Mr Dunkerley went to his doctor in May after feeling tired and noticing bleeding. The doctor spotted a lump and he was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital the same day and told he had a large cancerous tumour.

The couple feared the worst and Mr Dunkerley admits he buried his head in the sand to deal with it — but he coped well with the treatment and had no side effects, despite finding it gruelling at the end.

He was due for surgery in days when doctors checked again.

He said: “The doctor said I’m the first person that he has given this news to — that it’s vanished.

“His exact words were ‘you’ve got me scratching my head’. Everyone was just in shock.”

Doctors are now carrying out tests to see why the cancer cleared in Mr Dunkerley but not other people.

Mrs Dunkerley said: “I was absolutely devastated when he was diagnosed. I know people cope with these things but at 52 it’s a life-changing operation. To say we are pleased it has gone is an understatement.

“If a story like this gives one person hope it’s worth it.

If anyone is worried about anything get to the doctors, don’t waste time as it’s something you don’t have.”

Mr Dunkerley is now back at work as a facility officer at Royton and Crompton School and puts the success down to lots of support from the health service, family, friends and colleagues — and to his home-made red wine.

He added: “Everyone at the NHS has been absolutely brilliant. I have had tremendous support from work and it helps when you know there are a lot of people backing you.”

He says the opening of Christies at Oldham will make a big difference for patients as it will cut down gruelling travelling. Mr Dunkerley will now have check-ups every three months for five years.