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LIFE AFTER CANCER TREATMENT
Joyce and I were enjoying holidays and short breaks and I had just retired. We had brought up two daughters and two sons whom have between them our 7 grandchildren, we call them (Blake Seven). I was looking forward to Joyce’s retirement from full time work in the Finance & Accounting office at R.A.F Feltwell Base so that we could really spread our wings and begin to enjoy our time together after being married for 43 yrs.
We went for our routine dental check and the dentist noticed a small ulcer on Joyce’s tongue. He suggested to her that she should go for a hospital check up, this she did. The hospital dentist did a biopsy of her tongue. Joyce was sent for to see a consultant at Addenbrooke’s hospital in Cambridge for the biopsy results, the consultant was Mr Leo Cheng. Mr Cheng sent for me while I waited in the waiting room for Joyce to return from her consultation. Mr Cheng gently and most professionally explained that the results had proved positive cancer and that it was necessary for Joyce to receive major surgery on her tongue.
We both looked at each other in shock and was for a short while trying to absorb the bad news, “however”, Mr Cheng explained fully the situation and Joyce was very saddened and was commenting, “I don’t and never have smoked, nor do I drink to any over indulgence of excess, why me?" As you can imagine, our world for a while fell apart. I had to be strong for my wife as she thought it was the end, our family were very good and gave her strength to think positive.
Joyce’s operation was arranged by Mr Cheng and his team just a couple of week after we received the bad news. My daughter and myself went to see Joyce in ICU after her surgery that took many hours and I must say we were shocked as to what we saw, but thanks to all the care of the nurses and all the doctors over the next couple of weeks, Joyce was able to come home and I cared and looked after her watching her recover and get stronger day after day. The family were very helpful and came to visit often, giving her lots of encouragement. I could see her strength and determination returning, it must have been my cooking.
Joyce returned to work after 5mths but had to go back to hospital every month for check-ups, she retired 30mths later and now after 4yrs is back to her old self having 6mthly check ups. It was a very worrying time for me and the family, we still keep asking her how she is and can hopefully see her enjoying our life together, we celebrate our 47th anniversary this July (2005) thanks to Mr Cheng and his wonderful team, and caring nurses.
Mr. Gordon Blake
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