West Parley man on recovering from terminal 10-kilo tumour

In December, Derrick Cornelius thought he was going to die.

The 71-year-old had been told by doctors at Royal Bournemouth Hospital in late 2021 that a huge tumour growing in his stomach was inoperable, and that it would eventually grow to proportions which would cause his vital organs to fail.

Despite this, an incredible surgeon in London believed Derrick could be saved.

In summer 2020, Derrick fell over while running and broke both hands. The keen dancer found himself relatively immobile as a result. It was in early 2021 when he noticed his stomach was getting larger – which he initially put down to the inactivity.

By summer last year his stomach was “getting noticeably bigger and bigger”.

It wasn’t until bumping into his GP while going for a flu jab in October that he expressed his concerns.

He was soon booked for tests at Royal Bournemouth Hospital, where a CT scan confirmed devastating news.

“I was told it was a terminal sarcoma tumour and there was nothing that could be done,” recalled Derrick. “They told me it had taken up 90 per cent of my stomach area and had already started to crush my organs.

“They said they’d introduce me to the palliative care team. I was given no hope, at all. I never once asked why it was happening to me because I didn’t think that’s right. If it happens it happens.”

A twist to the tale, however, was already forming. Unbeknownst to Derrick, a hospital consultant wished for a second opinion and so contacted surgeon Dirk Strauss of the Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital in London.

Derrick was contacted by the hospital and was asked to come for a visit. “I had nothing to lose as life was already slowly ebbing away”, he told the Echo.

West Parley resident Derrick Cornelius who has miraculously recovered from a major tumour removal surgery

The pensioner then met with Mr Strauss on December 17 who told him he was confident the tumour could be removed. However, it would come at a cost of losing one kidney, part of his colon and permanent numbness in part of his leg.

“He walked over to me,” Derrick recalled, “and he patted my stomach and said ‘don’t worry, we’ll get rid of that for you’. That gave me a lot of confidence.”

On December 29, around one month after the diagnosis, Mr Strauss removed a 10-kilo tumour from Derrick in a life-or-death operation.

After six days in hospital, including New Year’s Day, Derrick was able to return home to West Parley and to his wife Pam.

A remarkably quick recovery followed for Derrick who, despite receiving 70 staples after the operation, is as fit as ever and has recently received the all-clear.

He said: “A lifeline was thrown to me. If by speaking out I can just help one, just one person, that would be worth it.”

Royal Bournemouth Hospital are now monitoring Derrick going forward. During one appointment he was seen by consultant Anthony Skene. Derrick recalled: “He told me he was glad it all worked out as he felt it needed a second opinion. I asked if he was the one who contacted Mr Strauss and he told me he was. I just looked at him and said ‘thank you, thank you very much indeed’.”

Derrick concluded: “If it wasn’t for them, I would be dead now. I’m thankful for every day.

“The moral of the story is to not give up hope. There may be a lot of people out there who are told they are terminal and nothing can be done. Maybe just seek that second opinion, you won’t look like a fool, it’s your life.

“Get a second opinion because you just don’t know. Never give up hope.”

Mr Strauss is due to appear on Super Surgeons: A Chance at Life on Channel Four tonight, performing an identical surgery on another patient.

The three-part documentary series follows the surgical team and a group of Royal Marsden patients with advanced or relapsed cancers who are preparing for innovative surgery.