Colon and liver cancer and HBOT

At 45, I received a diagnosis that changed everything—colon cancer, which had already spread to my liver. The physical pain was overwhelming, and to help relieve the pressure and discomfort, my medical team decided to fit me with a temporary stoma.

It was the beginning of a long and uncertain journey, but one I was determined to face with resilience and hope.

The plan was to begin chemotherapy at The Christie Hospital to shrink the tumours before surgery. Around the same time, Lev Chaim, an incredible organisation that supports cancer patients through every stage of the process, advised me to explore Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), and I was referred to Oxychai.

I started HBOT at the same time I began chemotherapy. I had been prepared for the worst: severe fatigue, hair loss, nausea, a suppressed immune system, and even infection around my portacath (the device used to administer chemotherapy). But, to my surprise and immense gratitude, my experience was quite different.

While my energy levels weren’t what they used to be, I remained mobile and continued with my daily routines. My hair didn’t fall out, I didn’t experience nausea, and my immune system stayed strong. Even my portacath site remained infection-free throughout the treatment. I truly believe that regular HBOT sessions played a key role in how well my body responded.

Following chemotherapy, I underwent radiotherapy to reduce the cancer further. When my medical team felt I was ready, I had surgery to remove the cancerous portion of my colon and a section of my liver. The surgery was successful, and I was declared cancer-free—a moment of overwhelming relief and gratitude to G-d.

However, not everything returned to normal immediately. I began experiencing numbness in my thighs, toes, and fingers. It was uncomfortable and concerning, and I was later told this was peripheral nerve damage, which can occasionally occur if a nerve is affected during surgery. I continued with HBOT, and over time, most of the numbness subsided.

Today, I’m in remission, and while that brings me tremendous joy, I’m also aware of the statistics—a 30–40% chance of recurrence. That’s why I continue with maintenance HBOT sessions at OxyChai, as part of a proactive approach to support my recovery and overall well-being.

I want to take a moment to thank the entire team at OxyChai. Their professionalism, kindness, and ability to make me feel safe and calm—even in the chamber, which was initially intimidating due to my claustrophobia—meant the world to me. Though HBOT involves sitting in a pressurised chamber, something I feared at first, I quickly grew comfortable thanks to their supportive and compassionate care.

I share my story in the hope it can give strength or insight to someone else walking a similar path.

Mrs Anonymous

Manchester