Peter Lloyd is an osteosarcoma patient who had his leg amputated at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital has shared his story.

Peter Lloyd, from Manchester, was living with his wife Kate and had recently welcomed their first child when he had a fall at work, which was the beginning of his journey at the ROH.

“After the fall, I had an MRI in Royal Oldham and was referred to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) by the consultant there,” said Peter. “He said he’d worked with a fantastic orthopaedic surgeon, who turned out to be Mr Carter.

“I had a biopsy done in August 2007 and that came back as benign fibrous dysplasia.”

Fibrous dysplasia is a non-cancerous bone condition in which tissue develops in place of bone. This irregular tissue can weaken the bone and cause it to break down.

“I was up and down the M6 a lot over the next few years having surgery and trials to see if they could stop the bone degrading. After the trials were considered successful, in December I was told to get fit and go back to work. In January 2009 I joined the gym, started running and went back to work. I ran the Manchester 10k in May 2008 with a time of 1 hour, 1 minute and 18 seconds, and we welcomed our second child in August 2009.”

All seemed to be going well for Peter until an appointment revealed that his femur had been fully eaten away. This meant he would require more surgery.

“I’d been seen by pretty much every surgeon and consultant at the ROH but finally was put under Mr Grimer, who agreed to do a femoral replacement (an alternative to lower limb amputation) to relieve the issue of whatever was happening with my bone. Fortunately this was a success but at the same time, my pathology report came back as a high-grade osteosarcoma.”

Osteosarcoma is a type of cancer that produces immature bone. It is the most common type of cancer that arises in bones, and it is usually found at the end of long bones, often around the knee. 

Peter began chemotherapy three weeks after his diagnosis and appointments were made for him at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester. He finished chemotherapy in January 2012 and returned to the ROH for a full hip replacement. Unfortunately, his pain continued.

“I carried on as best I could for five years but eventually asked for an elective amputation from the hip. I could no longer support myself with the affected leg, I was in pain again and I’d fully lost trust with it.

“I had my amputation in October 2017 and in 2018, I was discharged from the ROH.

“When I woke from the amputation it was obviously a little strange not having my leg there but there was instant feeling of relief. There was a moment after my surgery that I will never forget where I ended up in a rendition of ‘You’re Welcome’ with one of the nurses on the High Dependency Unit (HDU) as the film ‘Moana’ had not long come out in the cinemas.”

Physiotherapists helped Peter out of bed the next day on the ward and he was discharged a few days later. However, he admits he didn’t anticipate how hard his recovery would be.

“My children were the reason I wanted to have an amputation. I wanted to be able to play and walk holding their hands. No one knew how hard it would be for us all.

“There were some very dark times where frustrations and tempers were at full pelt but we made an agreement that nothing said during treatment was personal as we needed to vent.

“My family are everything to me and are the reason I’m still here. I wanted to be able to provide a good life for them and be able to give them the best of my years too.

“Our eldest was the most affected. We were close at first, but once chemotherapy started and I was away for long periods of time it became really difficult for him. Our bond has never been the same.”

Peter and Kate welcomes their third child in 2014, which he says “completed” their family.

“I cannot fault the care I was given at the ROH. I’m eternally grateful for all of the expertise from everyone at ROH. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. Now I’m discharged, my care is now in the hands of the Specialised Ability Centre in Wythenshawe and they really are amazing.

“My quality of life (since the amputation) has improved massively and I would make the same choice over and over.”

We’d like to thank John, Len and all members Edwina Lodge (no. 4237) for their generous donation of £1,300 to the Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC)!

John and Len are members of the Freemasonry. For Freemasons, there are four important values that help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Charity.

John is a patient here at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital and recently had a sarcoma removed from his shoulder. John was extremely grateful for the care he received and said, “I was treated so well”.  Because of which, he and the freemasons wanted to thank and support the hospital’s Charity, ROC. Edwina Lodge raised the funds through fundraising events (we hear Len is quite the swimmer!), call for actions and by seeking donations.

We value their support and dedication to our Charity.

Edwina Lodge, THANK YOU!

Photograph details:
Left: Andrea – Oncology Nurse who saw John at his first appointment and has supported his hospital journey, middle: John – ROH patient, right: Len

Children and young people attending outpatient appointments at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (ROH) will now be seen in a brand-new environment designed to cater for their specific needs, funded by Royal Orthopaedic Charity (ROC).

The new Children and Young People’s Outpatients Department, which is located in the main Outpatients area, offers an interactive space for young patients and their families. Patients aged 0-17 years were previously seen on a ward not specifically designed as an outpatient facility.

The theme for the department is ‘under the sea’. Wall art flows from the waiting area through to consultation rooms and the relaxation room to help create a familiar environment for patients and visitors. The wall art offers a distraction to both patients and any accompanying young people, such as siblings, when undergoing consultation.

Entertainment units featuring interactive games for patients up to 17-years-old and offer a more inclusive, ‘clutter- free’ environment. Previously, only physical games were available for younger patients and, because of COVID-19 and infection risks associated, even these have been unavailable for the past year.

A renewed sensory facility has also been installed in the department.

The reflection room is a new addition and something the Trust has rolled out previously within its adult services. This is a space where patients and families can sit and reflect upon an appointment, a calming space to receive bad news and can also be used as a safe space for any issues to be discussed with staff. This space also frees up consultation rooms for more appointments.

Consultation rooms are also nearly double the size of the previous department meaning there is more space for thorough consultations as well as space for families to enter which is often when parents need to bring siblings along with them.

The refurbishment and relocation of the department has been funded by an appeal from Royal Orthopaedic Charity, which exists to support NHS patients, their families and carers, as well as provide specialist training, equipment and knowledge to staff at ROH. It was designed by Grosvenor Interiors, specialists in hospital environmental enhancements.

Colin Horn, Managing Director of Grosvenor Interiors, said: “I lost my son to leukaemia some years ago and after many years of hospital visits I know how important the environment in children’s wards can be. Children’s spaces in hospitals are often very busy and frantic and part of our aim is to calm the spaces down so that the children and their parents are less stressed and can engage with the imaging to take their minds of why they are there.”

Monica Allen, CYPOPD Manager, said: “Our new Children and Young People’s Outpatients Department is vibrant and welcoming and our patients will be attending an area designed to try and ensure they have a relaxed experience in the hospital. We have been able to provide a multi-use area for quiet reflection and a sensory room with designated interactive equipment to assist with distraction therapy.”

Clare Hinwood, Transition to Adult Services Clinical Nurse Specialist, added: “It will benefit hugely those young people who will be transitioning into adult services. Because of its location in the Outpatients Department, it will enable them to become more familiar with the adult environment. The reflection room will also provide a location for discussing their transition plan.”

Ali Gray, Charity Manager, said: “The ROH Charity is overjoyed to support this incredible project, giving young patients and families a truly enhanced hospital experience. Our charity supports the hospital with projects that are ‘above and beyond’ what the NHS can afford, making a real difference to those who visit us. Patients and families have been thought about through every step and we are so pleased with the result.”