A BUTCHER who underwent emergency surgery after suffering a ruptured spleen is back behind the counter and says he is "incredibly lucky to be here".
Robert Mason, 30, fell ill while on a trip to a London meat market but has since made a full recovery.
Mr Mason has owned High Street-based Masons of Billericay since September 2010 alongside his wife Anetta.
The butcher, who lives in Chelmsford Road, Shenfield, fell ill on May 28 whilst on a trip to Smithfield with his mother, Jennifer Lindsell.
The father-of-one felt a sudden sharp pain in his chest on the A12.
"I would have gone home but my mum wanted me to go to hospital," he said.
When Mr Mason arrived at King George's Hospital, in Goodmayes, doctors found that he had a ruptured spleen.
He went under the knife for five hours and was kept in intensive care for four days before being moved onto a ward for recovery.
Speaking after the ordeal, Mr Mason said: "I lost about five litres of blood – I am incredibly lucky to be here.
"The staff were fantastic at the hospital, really wonderful.
"My care was second to none."
He added: "They are unsure what caused the spleen to rupture as usually it's from impact – like in a car accident.
"It's incredibly rare for a spleen to rupture for no reason so they are doing a case study on it at the moment."
The shop was kept open throughout the time Mr Mason was ill thanks to his mother and employee Charlotte Metaal.
He said: "This is our livelihood so we needed to stay open."
Mr Mason came out of hospital on Tuesday, June 6, and returned to work the following day.
He added: "I was on medical advice not to but was back to work on the Wednesday.
"I am feeling back to myself now.
"It was a big shock, not only to me, but more for my family because we have another baby due in November.
"It's nice to be back at work especially when you realise the severity of what happened – I was two hours away from not being here."
Mrs Lindsell said: "It was dreadful, something I wouldn't ever want to go through again.
"I would like to thank King George's, as without them he wouldn't be here – it was so scary."
