Doctors saved a cancer-stricken man's life by reconstructing his throat - using skin covered in a Grim Reaper tattoo. The life-threatening tumour was discovered after Colin Reilly complained of neck pain in 2020.
Various treatments seemed to be successful in fighting the cancer – until it came back with a vengeance in March 2021. Colin, from Bristol, was told he would have just six months to live unless he underwent surgery. There was a risk of him losing his voice forever, but the operation was a success - with help from his unusual ink.
His tongue and throat needed to be reconstructed, and skin was taken from his arm which happened to be tattooed with a picture of the Grim Reaper. Colin, 50, now wants to help others going through what he once went through, and raise awareness.
