Comentários do leitor

First Dates star

por Fidel Hudak (18-05-2023)


First Dates star Merlin Griffiths has given an update on his bowel cancer battle.

The TV personality, 48, appeared on Lorraine on Wednesday as he celebrated one year since his doctors found NED (No Evidence of Disease).

The barman has had two operations since being diagnosed with bowel cancer and showed Lorraine the scars from where his colostomy bag previously was.

Speaking about his one-year anniversary, Merlin said: 'It's a really important milestone for anyone going through this is that first one year of scans, they take blood tests, CT scans, colonoscopy and so on.

'They check you and you're looking for this no evidence of disease, or no cancer seen which is for now all clear and we're into the five year monitoring.'

Candid: First Dates star Merlin Griffiths has given an update on his bowel cancer battle

Milestone: The TV personality appeared on Lorraine on Wednesday as he celebrated one year since his doctors found NED (No Evidence of Disease)

Merlin brought along his toy sidekick 'Buttony Bear' for the interview, who has a colostomy bag.

The teddy is given to children who have been fitted with a bag. 

Merlin last gave his fans a health update on his cancer battle in February, revealing that 'some days are still troublesome'.

He wrote: '#bowelcancer It's been over 8hrs since I last had a poo.

And I slept a whole night with no waking last night to empty my bag; I now don't have a bag, or stoma.

'Some days are still troublesome.

But we live for the future. Some kinda normal hope. #stoma #stomareversal #getchecked.'

In a follow-up post, Merlin continued: 'I should add, it's a freaking weird feeling to poo when you haven't for almost a year. If you have just about any queries concerning wherever in addition to how you can use plumbing jokes, you can call us from our own web-site. Seriously odd. Takes some getting used to.'

It comes after the TV personality revealed he had been discharged from hospital after having his stoma removed amid his bowel cancer battle. 

Interview: The barman has had two operations since being diagnosed with bowel cancer and showed Lorraine the scars from where his colostomy bag previously was

Merlin said: 'It's a really important milestone for anyone going through this is that first one year of scans, they take blood tests, CT scans, colonoscopy and so on' 

Merlin was first diagnosed with the disease in September last year and has previously undergone radiotherapy treatment on his road to recovery.

And taking to Twitter on Sunday, he gave fans a health update and noted that it has been 'a tough and fraught week' with the removal of the stoma.

Keeping his followers in the loop about her cancer journey, he penned: 'Phew.

Getting discharged from hospital today.

'It's been a tough and fraught week. Recovery will not be fast, but I'll get there. And I've got much better TP at home! Thank you @nhsuhcw, exemplary as always.'

Merlin's update was met with a supportive message from Adele Roberts - who has had her own battle with bowel cancer - as she shared her joy that he was on the road to recovery.

She penned: 'Congratulations Merlin! Keep smashing it and so happy you're on the mend.

Thank you so much for sharing your recovery xx.'

To which Merlin replied: 'Thank you Adele! Will you be getting a reversal too?'

On the mend: Merlin Griffiths took to Twitter on Thursday to give his followers a health update after having his stoma removed amid his bowel cancer battle

Former Big Brother star and radio personality Adele, 43, then shared: 'Hopefully one day!

Not for the moment though. I'm not able to get a reversal for the time being… but we're working on it

'The NHS are so amazing. It's been brilliant to see you thriving.'

Offering his support in turn, Merlin added: 'Fingers crossed.
If you ever want to discuss pros and cons of reversal in the future drop me a line. Happy to share my experiences.'

With Adele - who recently took her 'first step' towards getting her colon working again - adding: 'Thanks so much Merlin! Means a lot & will do xx.'

Merlin revealed  that he had his stoma removed after nine months during a five-night stay in hospital.

Sharing a snap in his hospital gown after the operation he wrote in an update: 'Gosh, it's very odd knowing all my insides are actually inside me again after 9 months of a #stoma. 

Tough: Merlin was first diagnosed with the disease in September last year and has previously undergone radiotherapy treatment on his road to recovery (pictured on First Dates)

Opening up: The First Dates barman, 48, confessed 'some days are still troublesome', while adding that he is still holding out for a 'normal' future

'Next step, farting.

Then food. #NHS #Cancer #Surgery.'

In a further tweet he said: 'My plumbing works then. Cor blimey. This will take some training and getting used to. Thank goodness for Kegels! Essential!!

'Pull up nappy deployed for safety.
Need a biscuit. #Stoma #Reversal #Cancer.'

A stoma is an opening which is made on the abdomen with surgery, to divert waste out of the body and into a colostomy bag. 

Merlin received his bleak diagnosis from doctors at Northampton General Hospital, saying at the time that he was trying to keep a 'positive outlook'.

Ahead of his recent operation, Merlin told MailOnline that he's 'feeling in good health' and can finally 'see that light at the end of the tunnel' after first being diagnosed with the disease in September last year.

'I'm now on the way out as it were from the really deep parts, I have one more operation to go,' Merlin said.

'I can see that light at the end of the tunnel which is often so difficult to see just after you're diagnosed and going through treatment.

Getting back to health... or anything to make you feel normal again is brilliant whether it's diet or walks,' he said.   

'I'm generally feeling in good health, I'm not as active as I'd like to be as yet, but I'm slowly getting there, easing out on my bike...
it's also about getting slightly fitter and ready for a final operation.'

'I have a few more scans and if they all go well and produce the right results my surgeon will reverse my stoma and reconnect the plumbing,' he said.