2025, a year to remember

It all began in the second half of 2024, with something as routine as giving blood.

For many years, I have been a regular blood donor, presenting myself at the clinic every three months or so as a small contribution to our NHS. On this particular visit, however, the standard pre-donation iron level check flagged a problem — my levels were too low to allow donation. The nurse suggested I follow this up with my GP, which I duly did.

My wife, ever watchful, reminded me as I headed off to the appointment to also mention a small lump that had been quietly growing on the side of my nose. The doctor confirmed the iron concern, ordered a blood test, and separately took photographs of the nasal lump to send to a hospital specialist. Both matters, it seemed, warranted further attention.

When the blood test confirmed the low iron levels, my GP noted that my medical records showed no history of such problems, which made the cause all the more puzzling. He proposed three investigations: bowel cancer screening, endoscopy, and colonoscopy. The first two returned reassuring results — the bowel screening was clear, and whilst the endoscopy found a couple of polyps, these were removed, tested, and found to be harmless.

The colonoscopy, however, proved less straightforward. The doctor was unable to navigate the camera fully around my colon and had to abandon the procedure. As a result, I was sent for a chest CT scan to investigate further. Unfortunately, the scan left me with a urinary infection that knocked me off my feet for several days. I had barely recovered when the hospital rang with unexpected news: the CT scan had found no issue with the colon, but had revealed a shadow on one of my kidneys. A second, kidney-specific scan would be required.

By this point, we were approaching Christmas, and the second scan made me unwell over the festive period. It was not the most cheerful of holidays.

In January 2025, I was called in to meet a urologist at one of the Newcastle hospitals. The consultant came straight to the point — both scans had identified a tumour growing on my left kidney. After discussing the options, the recommended course of action was clear: the kidney would need to be removed entirely. The operation was scheduled for early February.

Meanwhile, the situation with my nose had been progressing in parallel. A biopsy confirmed what had been suspected — the lump was skin cancer, and an operation would be needed to remove it along with any surrounding affected tissue.

February arrived, and following pre-operative assessments, I was admitted to the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. The operation to remove my left kidney went well, and my recovery surprised everyone, including me. The surgeon was satisfied enough to send me home the very next day, and I spent around ten days convalescing at home, cared for with extraordinary dedication by my wife. Roughly two months after the operation, a follow-up at the Freeman — blood tests, X-rays, and an ultrasound — confirmed that all was progressing well. A further check-up in September 2025 told the same welcome story. Annual checks will continue for the foreseeable future, but no further treatment is anticipated.

September 2025 proved to be a busy month in another respect. It was then that I underwent the operation to remove the nose lump, with the resulting wound closed using a skin graft folded neatly into place beneath my nose. Despite being the less serious of the two procedures, this one felt considerably more gruelling. Performed under local anaesthetic, I was acutely aware throughout, and in the hours afterwards, I was extremely unwell — it was some time before my wife could bring me home.

The recovery that followed was drawn out and difficult. The wound became infected, requiring a prolonged course of antibiotics, and I found myself returning to the hospital for dressing changes every other day for the best part of three weeks. For something that had looked so minor on paper, it took a great deal out of me.

Now, sitting here writing this in March 2026, I find myself feeling genuinely grateful — grateful to have navigated such an unexpectedly turbulent year, and to have come through it in good health. My iron levels are still recovering, and I continue to take supplements in the meantime. But above all, I am grateful for my wonderful wife, whose love, patience, and care throughout this entire period made all the difference in the world.