"Great care with NHS Lanarkshire"

Due to having a tumour, I had a kidney removed in March 2018 and I have previously written to say how superbly well I was looked after by Mr Dunn and his team in Monklands.  In December 2018, on a visit to my dentist, I had a small but growing cold sore on the middle of my upper lip and I asked if he could recommend cream for it.  You can imagine my disbelief and horror when, on examining my lip, he said he would make an urgent referral to Monklands Maxillofacial Unit.  I could hardly take in what I was hearing, but did ask “Do you think it is cancer?”.  He gently said it had to be urgently investigated and a biopsy would be done.  He was so kind and caring, he reassured me this was the best way to have it investigated. As I am fit - a keen golfer, dog walker, non-smoker and non drinker - I could hardly take it in - a second cancer operation in 10 months. 

 

Xmas was only a week away but my dentist was able to stress the urgency sending off emails with pictures of my lip. He kept in touch with me regularly to check the sore which had clearly changed as it grew bigger and on Xmas Eve rang me to say an appointment had been made at Monklands for early in January.  I was seen by Dr Walker at the clinic where he saw the sore had now ballooned and was overlapping the middle of my top lip - and it was SO painful!  Dr Walker reassured me I would be operated on very soon and the sore would be removed.  I heard a few days later and then attended Mr. Sood at Monklands.   

 

That was the first time I had met Mr Sood but he really put me at ease and explained exactly what would happen.  He said he was 99% sure it was a cancerous tumour after comparing from photographs taken on 18th December by my dentist and what Dr Graham examined on 7th January.  Mr Sood described how he would remove the middle part of my upper lip and hoped to do so without the need for a graft from the lower lip.  I knew I was in very safe hands.  After the operation I can honestly say the pain was gone – I felt a little discomfort but that was all.  When I saw Mr Sood one month later the wound was healing beautifully.  He confirmed it had been a rapidly growing cancer on my lip and it was clear that my dentist's urgent referral had been vital.  Mr Sood was so kind and caring – what a superb surgeon - and all the team at the Maxillofacial Unit were terrific, they all put me at ease including the porters and their good banter when taking me to theatre and back!  

I went back recently for my 6-month check and saw Dr Bassett.  She was lovely and very pleased to see there is now hardly a mark to be seen. I now have 6-monthly checkups for the next while. I can not thank everybody involved enough for the superb treatment I received from the NHS and at the Maxillofacial Unit at Monklands Hospital.  I also extend my gratitude to my dentist Dr Dhesi who recognised the urgency and got the wheels in motion over the difficult Xmas/New Year period.