A musician, who found himself getting so tired he was regularly falling asleep during the day, was shocked to discover he had bowel cancer.
Richard Sanderson Xerri, 45, a dad of two, said he didn’t go to his doctor because he didn’t think his tiredness was serious enough to bother a GP.
But after performing at a wedding and being extremely exhausted the next day, his wife Eirian took him to a walk-in clinic, which led to a diagnosis that saved his life.
Now the couple are sharing their experience to help others understand and seek medical advice sooner.
Unusually lethargic
Richard, from Worsley, began feeling unusually lethargic in August 2024, but assumed it was down to work-related fatigue. A music teacher and performer, he said the tiredness became overwhelming.
He said: “When I got in from work, I’d pull up on the drive and be exhausted. I had no idea how I’d even driven home.
“Then one weekend I played a wedding and the next day I couldn’t get off the sofa. My wife took me to Trafford Urgent Care Centre. I thought it might be something like low iron, but I never suspected cancer!”
’That colonoscopy saved my life’
Richard was referred to Wythenshawe Hospital for further investigation, where he was given a colonoscopy and an endoscopy.
These are procedures that allow doctors to look inside parts of your digestive system using a flexible tube with a camera.
He said: “I was terrified. I didn’t want the camera tests. I thought there was no point. But my wife insisted, and thank goodness she did.”
A tumour was found tucked in his bowel during the colonoscopy, and Richard says, “That colonoscopy saved my life”.
A biopsy showed the tumour was cancerous, but Richard and Eirian remained optimistic after hearing it had been detected early.
Just 10 days later, Richard had an operation to remove a third of his intestine via keyhole surgery.
He said: “We were told it was early stage. I was terrified hearing the C word, but I believed we could beat it.
“I was amazed that they could do it by keyhole surgery, and luckily I didn’t need a stoma bag due to where the tumour was. I was back home a few days later, starting recovery.”
Don’t ignore the signs
After his surgery, Richard needed chemotherapy as tests showed his tumour had been quite aggressive. He found chemo quite difficult, especially how cold it felt for his hands.
He said: “I was worried about nerve damage in my hands. But the nurses helped with hot water bottles and put me at ease.”
Now recovering, Richard resumed playing the violin and has just begun a slow phase return to his teaching job with One Education Music in Manchester.
He said: “The NHS has been phenomenal. My message is simple: don’t ignore the signs or think the only sign for bowel cancer is blood in your poo.
“It’s better to check and be wrong than miss something serious. We are so lucky to have the NHS.”
Get checked out
Roger Prudham, Clinical Lead for Bowel Cancer at Greater Manchester Cancer Alliance, said: “It’s always important to see your GP if you have non-specific symptoms like extreme fatigue to get it checked out.
“The chances are it won’t be cancer, but it is always best to rule it out.”
Find out more
For further information and a list of common symptoms for bowel cancer, see www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/symptoms