In late May, 2001, at the age of 69, I detected what looked like a
strawberry lump on my tongue. I saw my doctor and after she had started
treating me she asked me to see my dentist. He was in complete agreement with
her treatment, but after two weeks my mouth began to feel terribly sore, as if
it was full of razor blades. After a further visit to my doctor I was referred
to Addenbrokke's Hospital dental department. I did not know at that point that
I had been put into their "fast track" and the appointment came through very
quickly. I was transferred to Mr. Cheng's Maxillofacial Unit and he arranged
chest xrays and head, neck and arm scans. At the beginning of August Mr. Cheng
told me that I had tongue cancer but that it was operable as it had been caught
in the early stages. I was very upset, more for the fact of my age than for
anything else.
I had the choice then of radioactive rods being inserted into my tongue or an
operation to remove the cancer and I opted for the operation which was
scheduled for 21st September 2001. Everything went well and with the dedication
of Mr. Cheng and his team I soon began to feel much better.
I was in hospital for 17 days because I am diabetic and my sugar levels were
erratic. During that time I had visits from the About Face Support Group
members.
The treatment that I received from everyone, the surgeon, doctors and nurses
was top class, I have no complaints on that score at all.
After the surgery it wsas felt that, as a precautionary measure, I should have
some radiotherapy. I thought that it would be two or three quick blasts, but I
was in for a shock as it was five days a week for six weeks. But it soon went
by, the after effects were not very pleasant as I had a very sore throat and
had great difficulty in swallowing. I also had a vey stiff neck and face. My
food had to be liquidised for quite a few weeks afterwards and I could only eat
it when it was almost cold.
I am virtually back to normal now and there are few things that I can't eat. I
still attend Mr. Cheng's clinic every month. I have now learnt that during my
operation I had twentyfive lymph glands removed from my neck and in order to
get to the cancer in my mouth my jaw was cut and opened up and I now have a
plate holding my jaw together..... no I don't bleep at the airport! What a
shame, that would have been quite fun!
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