The Kirkcaldy Book - Community Forums - Domestic bliss - Kirkcaldy miracle man defies the odds

Kirkcaldy miracle man defies the odds.

By Debbie Clarke
News Desk

A KIRKCALDY man who survived major lifesaving surgery against all odds has taken part in a challenging zip slide event to raise hundreds of pounds for charity.
John Bonthrone raised around £350 so far for the Anthony Nolan Trust after participating in the session at Lochore Meadows on Sunday.

But what makes the feat remarkable is that John (42) was only given six months to live last November and his body is being held together by titanium rods and bolts!

The father-of-one had been feeling unwell for a couple of weeks and his wife, Amber, thought he had a chest infection.

She persuaded him to go to the doctors but the couple's world fell apart when they were told he had a cancerous tumour.

Amber (44) said: "Tests showed he had a tumour the size of a large melon which had wrapped itself around his spine. We were completely devastated. We couldn't believe what we were hearing."

But worse news was to come – doctors told him there was nothing they could do.

Amber continued: "They said his tumour was inoperable and it was slow growing so chemotherapy wouldn't work.

''We were told he had around six months to live. It was like being hit by a freight train."

John's case was put to a team of top surgeons in Edinburgh who hadn't come across anything like this before, and they came up with one last option of surgery to remove the tumour.

John on the zip slide

John was given a 50-50 chance, but also faced the prospect the operation could leave him paralysed from the chest down.

Surgeons operated for 52 hours over five days, during which time he died twice.

He was in intensive care for two months and doctors wanted to put him in a rehabilitation centre.

Amber said: "He was dying in front of my eyes and you can't let that happen to someone you love so I brought him home."

John's rehabilitation was hard but now he is able to walk with the aid of crutches, drive and, two months ago, he returned to work in Glasgow.

He said: "Amber really took on the role of 'in sickness and in health' - I couldn't have done it without her. Life is what you make it - everyday is a bonus now.

''Last year we didn't think we would see another Christmas, so we are really looking forward to it this year."

MADE OF STEEL: During John's lifesaving surgery doctors removed the middle section of John's spine ... put in two titanium rods
with around 10 titanium bolts to hold it in place ... made him four titanium ribs ... and removed part of his right lung.

How can you feel sorry for yourself when you hear of someone like John. It is the strong Scottish spirit that keeps people like John and a good strong family to help. Good on you John, and I wish you and the family all the luck in the world. God Bless you. Ann