Super Surgeons – the patient perspective

If it weren’t for my surgeon at the Royal Marsden, I wouldn’t be here. And I don’t mean that in a fatalistic sense – my tumour probably wasn’t going to kill me – but a more philosophical one; my experience with cancer is what pushed me to become a personal trainer, and inspired me to specialise in cancer exercise.

Thanks to a recent Channel 4 documentary, I’ve gained a different perspective on the treatment offered via the hospital which took care of me. And my own surgeon is featured! Here’s what I thought of the three-episode mini-series…

Super Surgeons – what’s it about?
The series follows five surgeons based at the Royal Marsden Hospital. The introduction didn’t quite hammer home what one of the nurses at my GP surgery said to me soon after I’d been diagnosed: the Marsden is a tertiary care centre – it’s not the average local hospital which Does Surgery, it is an internationally-recognised centre of excellence. Rare disease and “difficult” cases are bread and butter here.

In the Practice Nurse’s words: “It’s like the difference between Tesco and Harrods. You, my dear, are going to Harrods.”

Seven patients feature in the series, and we are shown their journeys through treatment and the early days afterwards. Each doctor introduces their case, is shown consulting with the patient (and operating on them), and follows up afterwards. They give their thoughts on how the surgery went, what it’s like delivering bad news, and how they make decisions on treatment plans. We also see the patients giving their own thoughts on diagnosis and treatment, and are given further insight via audio clips of phone calls to Macmillan’s cancer support helpline.

What’s it like watching Super Surgeons as a patient?
My own surgeon’s (Dirk Strauss) case isn’t featured until the final episode, so from a highly personal angle, I was eased into the series. I’ve seen the Marsden in documentaries before, both prior to and since my treatment there, and I don’t think I’ll ever forget how I felt seeing it having visited as a patient – it was different, and this time I was prepared.

I find it strange to see a place I’m quite familiar with and have experienced a lot of emotions in as the setting for a story being told. I find myself thinking, “do I know that exact room?”, “have I sat in that chair?”, “is that corridor familiar?” and many other things.

When I managed to switch that voice off, I found it fascinating to learn about the other cancers being treated. Having had a rare disease, I was very wrapped up in developing knowledge of my own condition, and I still have a lot more to learn about others. This kind of programme is a great opportunity for me to file away another puzzle piece, so that I can use it in the future if necessary. It also helps my work to spot patterns, and offer support to patients and survivors by understanding a little better what they’re going through.

How do the Super Surgeons come across?
For me as a patient, this was one of the most interesting parts! I can only speak for the surgeon I’ve met, but I found Mr Strauss’s consultations with his patient to be an accurate reflection of my own experience – he discussed the risks without trying to get away from the issue, but was also positive and confident.

Interactions have to be condensed into such a short period of time for TV purposes, and most people in the UK are highly aware of the narrative that doctors – particularly the most senior ones – don’t have a lot of time to spend discussing things with patients. Whilst it’s true that medics are under a lot of pressure and typically have a big caseload, that’s their problem, not the patient’s. I cannot stress the following point enough: if you find yourself in a consultation with a doctor, make the absolute most of it. The appointment is yours. Ask every single question that you feel is necessary, and make sure that you receive an answer that you understand, or a promise of when you’ll get one.

Contrary to popular belief, the most important person in a doctor’s office is the patient.

How was the patient experience represented in Super Surgeons?
This was shown in two ways. All of the patients featured were interviewed at various stages, some with their nearest and dearest, others alone. I thought what came across clearly was the variety of emotions you have as a patient, and how you have to really put your trust in your team. They are the experts, and they’re making big decisions about your short-term care and your longer-term future. It’s something which involves an incredible amount of faith.

The other way the patient experience is represented is via clips of calls to the Macmillan support line. These made me quite emotional, as it was strange to hear my own thoughts and feelings represented by anonymous callers. Again, a real range of emotions was shown, along with some incredibly common worries – how will I tell my kids? What will happen with work? Am I going to die?

For anyone who watches it and wonders: yes, those thoughts are absolutely real, and they are terrifying.

Life beyond Super Surgeons
Full disclosure: I went to bed having watched the first episode feeling heavily weighed down with a sense of survivor’s guilt (it’s another common emotion in the cancer community). But something that several of the surgeons pointed out in slightly different ways gave me comfort once I finished watching the series.

Some of the cases which are shown are pushing the current boundaries of what’s possible. For rare diseases, this is very important – science is a numbers game, and in terms of laboratory research, you need large numbers of patients to produce statistically-significant results and to learn much about the global community in health terms. We learn very little from one success or failure, but with rare or advanced diseases, these marginal gains are important, and can produce a ripple effect.

Which brings me to my next point: my surgery was successful because others – maybe decades before my own – weren’t. I am a product of an evolving system. There may one day be techniques which are even better. But the development which has already taken place has enabled me and others like me to keep going. Unfortunately, not everyone will live, and not even those who do will live particularly long or very well. Lessons are a gift. I’m grateful that I get to share what I’ve learned.

Super Surgeons is available to watch on demand – I advise having some tissues handy (and a cushion if you’re not a fan of surgery). If you’re a cancer patient or survivor wanting to get fitter and stronger, please get in touch; I offer face to face sessions in West Sussex, and online training for those based further afield