A 25-year-old handyman from Warwickshire endured four months of severe pain before a large abscess in his buttock burst, leading to emergency hospital admission and surgery. Owen Williams, from Atherstone, says he repeatedly sought medical help but the cause of his symptoms was not identified until the abscess exploded, causing him to be rushed to George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton.
Months of suffering and misdiagnosis
Williams says the pain began in February 2026 and progressively worsened, leaving him unable to sit comfortably, struggling to use the toilet, and sometimes housebound. He visited doctors, A&E, a Surgical Assessment Unit, and even had paramedics out, but was told his symptoms were due to haemorrhoids, anal fissures, or inflammatory bowel disease. “At every turn, I felt like I got fobbed off,” he said.
The abscess burst
In early June, his condition deteriorated. He became confined to bed at his girlfriend’s house. The abscess then burst, and his father drove him to hospital. He was admitted and underwent surgery under general anaesthesia the following day. “The reason it exploded is because it was left undiagnosed and untreated for so long,” Williams said. “The puss and swelling kept growing until it had nowhere else to grow, so it exploded out of my bum cheek.”
Recovery and financial strain
After a two-and-a-half-hour operation, Williams was discharged the next day. However, the wound remains open to allow drainage, requiring regular cleaning and dressing changes. “The packing process is by far the most painful,” he said. He is unable to work and, as a self-employed labourer, does not receive sick pay. A potential full-time job opportunity is now uncertain. “It could be months, and further surgeries may be needed,” he added. Doctors have warned of possible complications requiring additional treatment.
Community support
Williams shared his experience online and received overwhelming support. A GoFundMe page raised over £160 to help with bills. “The people out there who have loved and supported me have been absolutely amazing,” he said. He remains frustrated that the abscess was not identified sooner. “I believe if someone had seen me there and then, all of this could have been avoided,” he said. Williams is now awaiting further scans and tests as doctors monitor his recovery.
