I've been left with a gigantic hernia the size of a football – docs said my symptoms were just a ‘bad back'
While the 65-year-old has been awarded a payout after suing the NHS, he's said his and his family's lives "will never be the same again".
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Graham developed the gigantic bulge - described as the biggest doctors had ever seen - when it ballooned after an aneurysm ruptured.
He had visited his GP multiple times and gone to hospital twice complaining of severe back pain as well as weight loss over a nine week period.
Graham said a lump on his stomach was also pulsating - but doctors failed to carry out a full examination and sent him home with painkillers.
The result of an MRI scan was incorrectly recorded as clear before he was eventually diagnosed with an 11.5cm abdominal aortic aneurysm 64 days later.
The dad-of-one was told by doctors he had been a "walking time bomb" and underwent emergency surgery.
But he developed complications, including a torn bowel, suspected to have been caused by painkillers he had been advised to take for his back pain.
Graham spent more than seven weeks in intensive care and has been left permanently disabled as a result of his ordeal.
The former chief foreman is unable to work after being left with a stoma, mobility problems and the large abdominal hernia.
Graham's wife, Sarah, 44, has also been forced to give up her job as a healthcare assistant to become his full-time carer.
Lawyers have now secured Graham an undisclosed settlement after two doctors and a hospital trust involved in his care denied liability.
I lost 14 stone and finally had my loose skin removed, but it was totally botched and I look like I've been left with a permanent hernia
Graham, of Stourbrige, West Mids., said: "I was in pain for months.
"It started in my back and gradually spread to my abdomen, groin, and down my left leg.
"I could barely move and spent most of my time lying on the settee.
"I knew something wasn't right and the lump I found in my stomach was pulsating in time with my heartbeat.
"When they diagnosed my aneurysm, the doctors told me it was one of the biggest they'd ever seen and I was a walking time bomb.
"They believed it had already ruptured several times.
"Because it was leaking it had probably relieved some of the pressure and had stopped it fully rupturing and killing me.
"I was told that you could probably only fit a cigarette paper between the aneurysm and my spine and that it had worn my spine down."
Graham's emergency surgery went well, but afterwards he felt three pops inside of him.
It turned out his bowel had perforated.
He continued: " I needed another emergency surgery and was told I'd need a stoma. At first, I refused. I was devastated.
"Sarah had to convince me it was the only way to save my life.
"It wasn't a case of staying in hospital, getting better and going home.
"I've been left with permanent nerve damage, muscle wasting in my leg, I can't work and Sarah has had to give up her job to care for me.
"My stomach is unsightly and I have a stoma that can't be reversed. I've been told any further surgery on my abdomen would be very risky and complicated.
"Our lives will never be the same again.
"I just hope that by sharing what happened to me I can help raise awareness so others don't have to suffer."
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Jenna Harris, the lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Graham, said: "We firmly believe that those involved in Graham's care failed to conduct appropriate examinations and arrange and report back on a MRI scan in a timely fashion, especially in light of Graham complaining of symptoms associated with an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
"If Graham had received the care we say he should, we believe his condition would have been diagnosed sooner and he wouldn't have gone to suffer life-changing complications.
"Nothing can make up for Graham's ordeal but we're pleased to have secured this settlement allowing him to access the ongoing support he requires.
"An abdominal aortic aneurysm can be life-threatening, especially if they rupture.
"Therefore, it's vital people are aware of the possible signs. Early detection and treatment are crucial in managing the condition and preventing potentially fatal complications."
What is an abdominal aortic aneurysm?
AN abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a swelling in the aorta, the artery that carries blood from the heart to the tummy (abdomen).
Most aneurysms do not cause any problems, but they can be serious because there's a risk they could burst (rupture).
They often have no symptoms, but when they get bigger, you might notice:
tummy or back pain
a pulsing feeling in your tummy
You should see a GP if:
you have tummy or back pain that does not go away or keeps coming back
you feel a lump in your tummy
These symptoms can be caused by lots of things and do not mean you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm, but it's best to get them checked.
Call 999 if you or someone else:
have sudden, severe pain in your tummy or back
are struggling to breathe or have stopped breathing
have pale or grey skin (on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet)
lose consciousness
These could be signs of an abdominal aortic aneurysm bursting (rupturing).
This is a life-threatening emergency that needs to be treated in hospital as soon as possible.
Source: NHS
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