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I was first diagnosed with tongue cancer in September 1993 when I was 19 after
enduring for a few months with what appeared to be an ulcer on the left side of
my tongue. After a visit to the doctors I was quickly referred to Mr. Adlam's
clinic at Addenbrookes Hospital. A week after thatappointment when I had a
biopsy I was then given the devastatingnews that I had a malignant tumour, "a
bit of a bombshell" as Mr. Adlam described it and yes it most certainly was.
The following week, in early October, I was admitted to Addenbrooke's for
surgery where the tumour and part of my tongue was removed. However, my
recovery was speedy and I was soon eating quite normally and was home a few
days later.
In August 1998, after many follow up appointments I was told that I would not
need to have any more check ups. It was like a weight had been lifted off of my
shoulders and yet on the other hand I felt i'd lost my security blanket.
Three years later things were going to change. In February 2001 I noticed a
white area on the left side of my tongue, very close to the last tumour. I was
frightened, deep down I knew I had to get it checked out, but I just couldn't
go through all that again. An appointment was made for Mr. Adlams clinic where
I had another biopsy. A week later I was diagnosed with tongue cancer again. It
was as if my little world had collapsed. The obvious question to ask is why? I
had never smoked in my life and only really drank socially. I was getting in
married in August!
I met Mr. Cheng that same day and he explained to me what the next step would
be. I could have either surgery or radiotherapy treatment. I wasn't altogether
keen on having surgery again so I opted for radiotherapy treatment which is
really what Mr. Cheng advised anyway. In March I was admitted to hospital to
have Brachytherapy where I had radioactive pins inserted into my tongue under
general anaesthetic and then I was to stay in hospital for five days. This was
very lonely, visitors could only see me for no more than 30 minutes per day.
However they did keep my spirits up. There were times through my treatment that
I wondered whether we should have cancelled the wedding, but looking back now
it kept me going. In June I was admitted to have lymph nodes removed from the
left side of my neck. Despite having been informed of various side effects from
the operation I wasn't altogether prepared for how I would feel afterwards. It
all felt a little alien to me, having a catheter, oxygen mask and various other
tubes in both hands when I woke up, but I soon got used to them. Happily cancer
had not affected my lymph glands and after a few days I was back home.
Cancer has changed my life in the sense that I value it more. During both my
experiences I was always worried about how my family were, how they were
coping, rather than myself. I found it harder to cope the second time around
because my fiance hadn't been through my illness before, but he was a great
source of strength and still is. I don't know why I had cancer but I believe I
had it for a reason...
Now, a year on and my scar is fading and I am happily married and enjoying
life. I am most grateful to all that looked after me amd who still are.
Ann had another recurrent tongue cancer diagnosed in July 2005 and she received further local resection in September 2005. Ann continues to live life to its full with her husband, family and friends as she said, 'It's at times like this when you really have to remember to enjoy life and take every day as it comes.'
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