Joyce Blake from Beck Row near Mildenhall in Suffolk went to her
Dentist for a regular check up. Her Dentist noticed a problem and following a
biopsy Joyce was found to have cancer in her tongue. Joyce, who has never
smoked, was referred to consultant surgeon Leo Cheng of the Maxillofacial Unit
at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
In February 2001, Mr. Cheng and his team carried out a 12 hour operation that
involved removing a third of the tongue and rebuilding it with muscle, skin and
part of an artery in Joyces left arm. Joyce then spent two weeks in hospital
during which time she had regular sessions with a speech therapist. The success
of the delicate operation meant that Joyce did not have to undergo radium
treatment and at the time of writing (August 2001) Joyce is now back at work at
RAF Lakenheath.
Since the operation, Joyce, and husband Gordon have decided to raise money to
help the Maxillofacial unit at Addenbrooke's and held a 'Yard Sale' where they
raised five hundred and ten pounds (GB).
Joyce said "They are carrying out research into the cause of tongue cancer. I
have never smoked and I don't drink very much. It was a terrible shock to be
told that I had tongue cancer and why it happened to me I don't know, but the
team at Addenbrooke's are wonderful people, like family"
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Joyce with husband Gordon
Joyce with her 'tongue'
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