LOWE UNDERGOES THREE-HOUR OPERATION TO REMOVE TUMOUR

JOHN LOWE underwent a three-hour operation to remove a tumour that had been growing in his cheek for three months. 

Three-time BDO world champ Lowe shared a picture of the scars of the cut on the side of his face. 

Former world No1 Lowe shared the intensity of the emotional ordeal and joked that the experience amounted to a “facelift”. 

Lowe expressed his gratitude to the team at Chesterfield Royal Hospital after undergoing the procedure last Wednesday. 

He wrote in a Facebook post: “I underwent a procedure to remove a growth on my face. 

“It was carried out under local anaesthetic in the outpatient suite. The time it took to complete shows how intense it was – three hours. 

“Yes, that was quite a while. So long I was able to talk to my surgeon about his passion for cricket, and my understanding of that sport, my sport of darts, which he thinks very highly of. 

“And our own like of music. This helped immensely to pass those long hours away. 

“The nurses who helped and the ones that called in and asked how I was doing were more than helpful. It was so comforting. 

“It kept my thoughts on the right path. When the surgeon said: ‘John, we are about there, my thoughts raced, what would I look like after all the cutting, stitching?’ 

“I could not feel the scalpel doing its work. I could hear it though. 

“I could feel the stitching slightly, as the anaesthetic was wearing off. 

“I was cleaned up. Asked to close my eyes, move my forehead, smile, move my tongue from side to side. 

“All to find out if my nerves had been caught. 

“The smile on my surgeon’s face was enough to tell me he had completed a most professional procedure. 

“It wasn’t a pretty sight. I must admit I did expect it though. 

“In the pre-op the surgeon had drawn lines where he would make incisions. 

“When asked what I thought I replied: ‘Delighted, you have removed the growth/tumour that I have lived with for the last three months.’ 

“I felt overwhelmed and so thankful to my surgeon Mr Craig Miller and his wonderful caring nurses. 

“I put my glasses on, my coat on, shook hands with Craig, thanked the nurses, paid my parking fee and drove straight home to show Karen, my wife. 

“Now I am resting, waiting for the wound to heal, stitches out in 10 days’ time. An experience of my lifetime I will never forget. 

“One thing I will always remember. I asked surgeon Craig before I left: ‘What do I tell people?’ His reply: ‘Tell them you have had a face lift.’ I certainly have.”