September 22nd 2024.
Matt Forde, a 41-year-old DJ for Absolute Radio, recently shared some personal news about his health. He revealed that he had been diagnosed with bone cancer and had to undergo a life-changing surgery that resulted in him getting a colostomy bag. The surgery was due to a cancerous tumour that was found at the base of his spine, which he initially thought was just sciatica. Sadly, he had to have part of his spine removed in order to remove the tumour and has since been in a period of recovery and relearning how to walk.
After a 13-hour surgery and a ten-week stay at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Forde was discharged with a stoma and colostomy bag. He shared that he would have done anything to survive and was willing to sacrifice anything for an extra second on this planet with his wife. The surgery was daunting, but he trusted his doctors to do whatever was necessary to extend his time with his loved ones.
Forde recently spoke to Colostomy UK about his surgery and the adjustments he has had to make in his daily life. He admitted that he was initially scared by the idea of having to use a colostomy bag. The thought of having a bag attached to his body that he would have to change daily was overwhelming and unsettling. However, he soon realized that the change to his body was minimal, and the bag did not dominate his mind as much as he thought it would.
He also shared that conversations with his stoma nurses helped to demystify the procedure and alleviate his fears. He was worried about not being able to take care of it himself, but as he regained his mobility, he found that it became easier to manage. Forde also credits comedy for helping him to accept the changes and even joked about listeners to his radio show texting in potential names for his bag.
For those unfamiliar with what a colostomy bag is, it is a pouch that collects waste from the body after a surgical procedure called a colostomy. This is when a surgeon creates an opening in the abdominal wall, known as a stoma, and attaches the end of the colon to it. This allows waste to exit the body through the stoma instead of the rectum and anus. There are various types of colostomy bags, including reusable and single-use ones.
According to the NHS, a colostomy may be necessary to treat conditions such as bowel cancer, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, anal or vaginal cancer, bowel incontinence, and Hirschsprung's disease. Forde also mentioned that for a while, he was unable to take care of his stoma on his own, which was difficult for him. But as his mobility improved, he was able to manage it independently, making things easier for him.
Last year, when Forde shared the news of his cancer, he received an outpouring of support from his fans. He thanked everyone for their well-wishes and assured them that he would be fine. He also mentioned that he would be taking some time off to undergo surgery and would record shows to cover the gap. He ended his post by quoting Steve Cooper, saying that he would trust the process.
For those who have been diagnosed with cancer or know someone who has, Macmillan Cancer Support offers support and information. They have a helpline, webchat service, and a website filled with valuable resources. If you have a celebrity story to share, you can contact the entertainment team at The Agency through email, phone, or their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you.
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