In an extraordinary turn of events, a grandfather's life was saved after he experienced a severe allergic reaction to a common acid reflux medication. Seventy-year-old Steven Wise, a grandfather of seven from Hampstead, London, discovered he had stage 3 bowel cancer purely by chance, all thanks to a health scare prompted by a heartburn tablet.

The ordeal began when Steven took lansoprazole, a medication designed to battle indigestion and acid reflux. Unfortunately, he suffered a frightening allergic reaction that sent him to the Royal Free Hospital in September 2023, requiring an adrenaline shot to stabilize his condition. "My body didn’t take well to it at all, and I totally panicked," Steven admitted, recalling the grim moment when he thought he might not survive.

Faced with this unexpected health crisis, doctors decided to conduct a series of tests, including an endoscopy and a CT scan, to investigate the cause of his reaction. Within a week, Steven received the shocking news: he had stage 3 cancer in his bowel, despite showing no symptoms previously. "Without that scan, it would have gone to stage 4 and I would have almost certainly died," he expressed, underscoring the critical role that the allergic reaction played in his diagnosis.

Three weeks later, Steven underwent a successful surgery to remove the cancer, with the dedicated medical team at the Royal Free Hospital ensuring every effort was made for his comfort. "They were incredible," Steven praised, remembering the surgeon’s commitment to performing the operation without the need for a stoma bag, which could have significantly impacted his lifestyle.

In the wake of his surgery, Steven embarked on a precautionary chemotherapy regimen, but had to stop due to debilitating side effects. Despite these challenges, he maintained a positive outlook and recently celebrated receiving the all-clear after his first year of recovery. His follow-up colonoscopy confirmed that there were no signs of cancer—an incredibly encouraging result for Steven.

Now on a five-year follow-up program, Steven remains resolute in his love for sports coaching and his active lifestyle. "I was always told the chair is the enemy; you’ve got to keep doing stuff and keep active," he reiterated, filled with gratitude for his second chance at life. He continues to stay busy with his grandchildren, playing golf, and embracing every moment.

In a world where health can often be unpredictable, Steven's story serves as a powerful reminder of the intertwining of luck and medical intervention. It illustrates that sometimes an unexpected event can lead to life-saving discoveries.