A CANCER patient who found out from a hospital cleaner his potentially life-saving operation was cancelled has finally had surgery.
The Mail revealed on Wednesday how Dave Sheppard, 69, needed more surgery after learning his cancer had spread, despite an operation to remove a tumour from his kidney in November.
After his operation was cancelled the first time, he went into Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham on Friday, April 25 to undergo surgery on his prostate. But he was left in a pre-op room for ten hours before he was eventually found by a hospital cleaner, who advised him he would probably have to go home.
The cleaner returned almost an hour later with a nurse, who confirmed the news.
But following months of turmoil, Mr Sheppard received a personal call from a Castle Hill surgeon on Thursday and he underwent his operation last night.
His wife, Jacky said: "We are just so relieved. Hopefully now Dave will be rid of cancer. We received a call from the surgeon himself, which is unheard of by all accounts.
"He called after the Hull Daily Mail told our story and we are delighted with the response. We really are over the moon and hopefully this will be the end of it."
It is hoped Mr Sheppard can now enjoy the arrival of his 19th grandchild, who was born this week.
Before yesterday's operation, family members said Mr Sheppard had lost the will to live after a "string of blunders" at Castle Hill.
He lost 5st in three months after he was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year.
Mrs Sheppard criticised the hospital for letting the family down time and time again.
They claim doctors told them Mr Sheppard would undergo an operation on his prostate within six weeks to reduce the risk of the disease spreading further.
But they heard nothing from doctors for five weeks.
Mrs Sheppard called the hospital and was told she would hear back soon.
She says that call never came either and she was forced to call the hospital again on January 12.
Mr Sheppard was given a slot at Castle Hill, in Cottingham, on March 25.
But less than 24 hours before the scheduled surgery, the hospital called the couple to say the operation had been cancelled.
A letter followed within the week, rescheduling for April 25.
With the letter were Dave's medical notes, which stated: "Operation must not be cancelled again under any circumstances."
Last night, Mrs Sheppard was waiting to greet her husband after the operation.
She said: "I can't wait to see him. He was so low before and had completely given up on life, so I'm really hoping this makes him feel better about life again.
"Hopefully, he will be clear of cancer and he can enjoy his retirement.
"Our latest grandchild has been born and we have plenty more to be having fun with, too."
Mr Sheppard's father, Tom, was one of the crew members who died on Hull trawler the Gaul, which was lost in 1974.
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