On Tuesday 9th September 2014, exactly 2 months after I had my first operation to have my tumour removed, I attended Poole Hospital to get my second set of biopsy results. It was a mixed bag of news. Some of which was great news, some of which has left me deflated.
- Firstly the biopsy results. I saw two of the surgeons involved with my treatment. During the ‘neck dissection’ they took a good sample of glands from my neck. Apparently there are hundreds of glands. So they remove a good spread of the most likely to be affected. The results came back NEGATIVE. So the doctors are 97% sure that the cancer has NOT spread to my lymph glands. This is of course great news.
- Next up I saw the oncologist (cancer specialist) who will be dealing with my radiation treatment. Because of the area where the tumour had been, they were unable to get the clearance around the tumour to ensure that it was totally clear. This will mean radiotherapy in the area where the malignant tumour had grown.
He spoke to me about the effects of the treatment I would have. I will undergo a 6 week course of radiotherapy. The side effects were not great to hear and included temporary loss of taste, a dry mouth (that may stay for life), loss of hair growth on right side of face (permanent), sore throat for up to 8 weeks after therapy, damaged arteries (which can lead to strokes, tooth decay and ulcers. All of which sounds pretty dreadful. He also explained that the exposure to this amount of radiation will also lead to a higher chance of getting 3 other types of cancer in the distant future. Even with all the treatment there is a 15% chance of recurrence in the first 5 years.
I asked the oncologist what would happen if I didn’t have any further treatment and he said there was ‘a 65% chance of recurrence in the next 5 years’. - My next stop was to see the hospital dentist – and here is where my heart dropped and I swore for the first time that day.
Because of the area where the radiation will be focused on the side of my face, there is a high chance that my teeth will rot and weaken. There are many reasons for this. It isn’t just down to the radiation. It is also down to the fact that I won’t produce saliva which cleans the mouth. This causes long term oral health problems. Also the bones in my jaw can become brittle.
The dentist explained that the best way to combat all this is to remove the teeth (proceed with swearing).
After having some x-rays taken the dentist convinced me to have 5 teeth removed including 3 wisdom teeth. I asked him when was good to have this done and he said Monday 15th September. Just over two weeks since my last operation (which I am still really sore and swollen from).
So YES – I go in for a third operation tomorrow the 15th – and to say I am p@@sed off is an understatement.
The whole cancer thing is starting to ware me down now. It is starting to take its toll on me mentally and physically. I know it’s for the best and I know its good news from the biopsy results but it’s starting to feel like it’s all a big test to see when I will finally buckle under the strain.
The swelling from my teeth removal should take two weeks to subside. Only after that can I get fitted with my mask. Only after that can I start my radiotherapy. This is a long battle ahead still….