A MUSICIAN is set to make her comeback just over a year after she almost died on the operating table.

During one op, surgeons even feared they had lost Gilli Dulieu.

But she bounced back and picks up her baton again next month to conduct Clacton Choral for the first time since her nightmare illness.

When she started conducting again recently for the first time in more than a year, she was hooked up to the intravenous drip that helps keep her alive.

Early on NewYear’s Day 2014, she woke up with agonising stomach pains.

Gilli was told it was probably a virulent winter sickness bug that was going around at the time.

The mum-of-two tried to battle through the pain.

“It was so intense I couldn’t lie down, even at night, so I sat in my bedroom for days, clinging on to the radiator to get through the worst of the contractions.

After four days she could take nomore. An ambulance took Gilli to Colchester Hospital, where doctors carried out an emergency operation.

They removed most of her large bowel, which was twisted and so damaged that it was just paper-thin.

Gilli was allowed home to Clacton but was rushed back into hospital a fortnight later after another bout of uncontrollable pain, and had to endure another op.

She nearly died on the operating table, but is now back on her feet.

“When I conduct I completely forget all about the medical stuff and I’m just carried away with the music," she said.

"My life is back on track – I’m back at work, back at the gym, playing the organ at Christ Church United Reformed Church every Sunday and back at Choral.

“I’m hoping that my story will help raise colostomy awareness. The more that people are aware, the easier it is for people like me.”

  • Clacton Choral is performing Fauré’s Requiem and The Crucifixion by Stainer at St James’ Church, Clacton, on March 28. Tickets are £10 (including programme and refreshments) from johnkedge@tiscali.co.uk or 01255 464568.