"Oral cancer journey"

After having had an ulcer on my tongue for over 3 months I went to see the GP in January 2019 and was given a 2 week urgent referral to see a specialist.  Two weeks later I attended the Oral and Maxillofacial clinic at the Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy and had a series of tests including biopsy, clinical photography and x-ray. 

Later that week I attended a further appointment at the Victoria Hospital where I was given the news that I had oral cancer.  I was told by the consultant the tumour was small and completely operable.  This was followed by a CT and MRI scan and I met the surgeon in early February.  A week later I met the full clinical team -  and was told that, due to the location of the tumour, it was likely that they would have to split my jaw and this would be followed by reconstructive surgery which meant taking a skin flap from my arm with a vein and artery to rebuild my tongue.  As the surgery was going to take a full day there was a delay waiting for theatre space and my operation didn’t take place until mid March. 

My operation was at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee and I booked in the say before for surgery the next day.  The first small win was when I was informed that, even although it was going to be difficult in theatre, the skin flap would be taken from my left arm (the same side as the tumour and this created difficulties for the surgeons as they would literally be working over each other).   This decision was taken as I am right handed and there is a risk with this type of reconstructive surgery that my hand may be affected by nerve damage, with the possibility of limiting my grip.  I work in a chemical environment where precision is essential so this decision was a win as it meant my right arm and hand would be unaffected.  

The second, and major win, was, once under anaesthetic, the tumour could be properly examined (previously examination had made me gag or even bite!) and the decision was taken to do the operation through my mouth.  Imagine when I woke up in recovery at 2.30pm (instead of around 6 pm as was first thought), with arms intact and a seriously smiling anaesthetist leaning over me!  I then spent the next 5 days on in Ninewells being cared for by the wonderful nursing team (including the student nurses), dietician, speech therapist and healthcare assistants as well as receiving daily visits from the surgeons. 

I was discharged earlier than planned.   The following week I received a phone call from the dietician to make sure everything was going well with eating. In April I went back to Ninewells for the results of the pathology on the tumour plus lymph nodes.  All was clear and no follow up treatment was required. 

I am now receiving regular appointments locally and could not be happier with the care received from the initial referral through to current day.  There are way too many people here to thank and I apologise to those who gave me the best of care but I maybe just didnt get their names!  However, an amazing thank you from me and my wife has to go to Suzie (Macmillan Nurse), Jen, Claire and Leigh (Clinical Nurse Specialists), Mandy, Dot and the whole nursing team, Andy and the other young HCA lass who popped into my cubicle mid-wash!!  Not forgetting of course Victoria from the Victoria Hospital (who will always be known in our house as Vicky from the Vic!), Mr Shekar, Mr Kennedy and the GP who kicked all of this off - Dr Rees.  Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.