'I owe my life to Jane' (From Barry And District News)

'I owe my life to Jane'

A BARRY woman who cheated death several times over the last four years says she owes her life to Vale AM Jane Hutt.

Pauline Inch, 47, went into hospital for a routine keyhole procedure to remove a gall stone in June 2000. Within hours she was rushed back into hospital.

The Woodham Park resident told the News: "I had peritonitis, which left me with a ten-inch scar.

"Over the months I was in agony. I kept going to my GP, who eventually sent me back to the surgeon. When he took me into theatre in August 2001, my intestine had been sewn into the scar.

"In June 2002, the scar was re-opened to help repair the damage from the other operations, and the surgeon put in a surgical plastic mesh in my stomach.

"But after that I was in terrible pain. I could feel my insides tearing."

In 2003, Pauline says was told there was nothing more that could be done for her, she was too great a risk.

She added: "I was distraught. I was dying and no-one was helping me. I'd been married in April 2000, and this all happened a few months later. I went to Jane Hutt's surgery and broke down.

"Jane arranged a meeting with the original surgeon. I was sent to a specialist in Plymouth, who rushed me into theatre.

"When he opened my stomach he was appalled at the mess.

"My bowel had grown through a tear in the mesh, and around it. It was weeks away from rupturing. He didn't tell me explicitly, but I know I would have died.

"I owe Jane my life. If she hadn't helped me I would be dead.

"Now I can have a healthy relationship with my husband Peter, and in October we'll finally go on honeymoon."