Mavis's problem started in 1998 when she detected what she describes as
"a white mass" on top of her tongue. Her doctor sent her to Queen Elizabeth II
Hospital at King's Lynn where biopsies proved it to be cancer. Mavis was
admitted into Hospital where radio-active rods and pins were inserted into her
tongue. These remained in Mavis's tongue for one week. During this time Mavis
was in complete isolation but it did not worry her unduly. It was the second
week of Wimbledon Tennis and Mavis watched every match. When the rods and pins
were removed her tongue was very sore and painful and only properly healed
after about six weeks. During this period she had to liquidise all of her food.
Mavis had another re-occurence of mouth cancer. In February 2001 she detected
another ulcer, right at the back of her tongue. It was confirmed as cancer and
this time she was admitted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where
extensive microsurgery for the removal of the cancer was carried out by Mr. Leo
Cheng and his team. During the operation the tongue was re-fashioned using skin
and tissue taken from Mavis's arm. The arm was then repaired using skin from
the groin area.
As, with several members of the Support Group, one of the main arteries was
removed from the arm and placed into the side of the neck to join up with the
main artery there in order to supply blood to the tongue.
Despite the severity of her ordeal, Mavis remains very cheerful and optimistic.
She delighted her medical team with her bright spirit and sense of humour.
After drinking her first cup of tea, following the intravenous feeding, she
said "That's the best cup of tea i've had since I had my baby", which the
surgeons found very amusing.
After her discharge from hospital, and as a further precautionary measure,
Mavis had to re-attend extensive radiotherapy for five days a week for six
weeks. She now says that it was the worst part of her ordeal as her tongue and
mouth became agonisingly painful. When this was written, Mavis was due to be
re-admitted to hospital for the removal of a node in her neck. All of the
Support Group wish her well.
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