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In March this year (2003), I suddenly became aware of a lot of pain in side my mouth on my gums. I went to the dentist and was given some antibiotics and he told me that if it did not get better then I should go to hospital. After completing the course I did not get better, so I went to the Royal London Hospital. At the Hospital, I was seen by Mr Cheng who is a Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at St Bartholomew's and Royal London Hospitals. Mr Cheng took a biopsy from inside my mouth so that it could be examined.
After he got the result, Mr Cheng told me that I had mouth and jaw bone cancer, and I would need an operation without any delay. I was told that the cancer had not spread very far which is why the urgent operation was necessary.
On 20th April, I was admitted to hospital and on 22nd April, I had a small operation to be fitted with a feeding tube through my stomach, as after the operation I would not be able to eat through my mouth. On 23rd April at 8.00 am, I was taken down to the operating theatre for the operation on my mouth, jaw, neck, shoulder and forearm. I returned from the theatre the next morning at 5.00 am.
When I regained consciousness, I could not speak. My voice was not there because of the breathing tube. |
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After the operation, Mr Cheng told my relatives to give me paper and pen so that I could express my feelings and views, which I was given. I was very emotionally affected. I wrote whatever came to my mind at that stage.
My husband, children, also the doctors and nurses took very good care of me, which I appreciate a lot and will always remember. During the operation, bone was taken from my shoulder and skin from my forearm to be fitted inside my mouth and to replace my jaw bone. A week after the operation, the skin graft caused a problem, so Mr Cheng told my family that I need another operation so that skin from my chest could be fitted inside my mouth. Although everyone was very anxious at the thought of another operation, Mr Cheng assured everyone and I and the operation went ahead.
When I regained conscious 3-4 hours after the operation, I was in a better state of mind, I could understand everything. With God's willingness and hard work of the doctors, I slowly started getting better. Whenever Mr Cheng came to see me, he took very good care of me and always told me that I should not break down. Mr Cheng's attitude was very pleasant and everyone in my family was very pleased with him.
A few days after I started talking I was given food through my mouth. I also received six weeks of radiotherapy, which helped my condition very much.
I think to myself that Mr Cheng performed this major operation with great success, for which I am ever so grateful. I pray to God for his success in his medical career.
As the world is becoming more populated, there have been new illnesses occurring. I wish for more doctors like Mr Cheng to be available. I will always pray for this.
Translated and written by Mr Roman Miah (Mrs Jahan's son)
NB Mrs. Nur Jahan has said that she is willing to talk to any patients or carers from Bangladesh as she would like to share her experiences with patients from that part of the world with similar oro-facial cancer, especially those with the habit of chewing pan (betal nuts) which is a known risk factor of oral cancer.
If you wish to contact Mrs. Jahan please email us.
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