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| Date Entered at Shared Experience: 08/18/2003 |
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MOUTH |
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Squamous cell carcinoma of the lining of the mouth and infiltration of the jawbone. Diagnosed after what looked like an abscess but it wouldn't go away. Thought it was Thrush. After an X-ray at my dentist, turned out that most of the left jawbone had been eaten away. Diagnosed in February 2003 but doctors feel that it's been about since approximately 2001. |
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First I had all my teeth removed as it was felt that they would not withstand radiotherapy. Then in April 2003 had the left side of my jawbone removed as well as the left side of the lining of my mouth and the left floor of my mouth. The cancer had reached the base of my tongue but luckily the doctors caught it in time. A titanium jaw was implanted and my left pectoral muscle was cut and pulled up through the left side of my neck to use as lining for my mouth and cheek. As the pectoral muscle stayed attached it still maintained its own blood supply. I had a trachyostomy. My stay in hospital lasted 2 weeks. I had my lymph nodes removed on the left side of my neck although there was no lymph node involvement just to be on the safe side. I had a PEG inserted prior to my operation to enable me to take in adequate nourishment. |
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The scars on my neck have been done beautifully and will fade to a fine line in the crease of my neck eventually. My left breast has suffered and I thought I had had a mastectomy at first. I have been left with a scar about 12ins long around my breast. However, that is just physical. I had no lymph node involvement and my prognosis is good. However, following 6 weeks of radiotherapy everyday I have lost my tastebuds and that has been the most devastating part for me. Without teeth, my face still very swollen after 4months and no taste whatsoever, life at the moment feels pretty grim - but I always try to remember that there are people worse off than me! I am one of the lucky ones....plus I am nearer each day to getting back to some kind of normality. |
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I am an oncology nurse but still wasn't prepared for being on the receiving end. |
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