teeth, camera, action

1 minute read time.

14 Mar 2011

I am meeting with the hospital dentist today to decide how many teeth I can keep ahead of my radiotherapy treatment to my neck. I asked my nurse last week how they would replace any they remove. She replied without a moment's hesitation, 'They won't. You can't have any replaced or even dentures fitted for at least a year after treatment until your gums have recovered.' Time stopped, I felt physically sick with fear and I felt myself zoom back from the room, like a fast camera movement on a TV show. I'm picturing myself: no hair, no teeth, a feeding tube poking from my stomach, no ability to produce saliva, a burn on my neck. It ain't pretty.

I had planned to have some cosmetic dental work done this year, which tells you how much I care about my teeth. (I'm the one on the left in the picture). I honestly don't know how I would cope without them. My job requires lots of face to face meetings and presentations, how would that work and how would I feel about the indignity of eating baby food but most of all, my partner and I are planning a civil partnership and it would mean I couldn't smile in the pictures. I couldn't even eat the wedding breakfast. I wouldn't even be able to smile at the postman in the morning.

Neither of us are especially religious but I don't mind admitting, we went on our knees last night and prayed that I be allowed to keep my teeth. Will post again to let you know the outcome.

FormerMember over 14 years ago

Hi,

I am sorry to hear of the extent of the treatment you are having to have, it sounds outragous that you are just supposed to put up with this amount of colateral damage to your most prominent features with what seems little regard to your future.

Where is your cancer situated if you dont mind me asking.

I wish you the best of luck with it anyway, and for the future too.

Pauli.........
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

HI Fulham P ((hugs))

Really sorry to learn that your treatment is going to have such difficult consequences. I really hope that you are able to go forward with the minimum loss of teeth etc. It must be very difficult to have these worries added to those about your condition, and it sounds as though this has been a very sudden bombshell for you and your partner ( although he sounds wonderfuly supportive). Re. your civil partnership. have you considered bringing it forward so that you can still have the day you were hoping to have?

I really hope that you get positive news today, best wishes Sharonxx
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

Hi

My sister had mouth cancer she never lost her hair but she did lose her teeth and have to eat baby food,it was a long job but she is about to have dental treatment in the form of implants i think, the cancer appears to be cured and she is now looking forward to the rest of her life, she has a very supportive husband and a lovely family that have been by her side through all of this, no its not pretty, its ugly but temporary, you will get through all this, your partner will love you more, not less, the fear of losing you will be harder to bear than either of you can envisage at the moment, you stay strong and positive and come out the other side confident that you and your partner have the kind of relationship that can weather any challenge!The best of luck lov lol LYNxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

Hi Fulham,

I have some good news for you, I had 36 radio courses. I have had My Larynx and Thyroid glands

removed. Yes you will have burns on your neck but if its any consolation I still have my teeth in situ.

So dont go worrying about losing your teeth.

All the best and good luck.

Take care and be safe Sarsfield.
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FormerMember over 14 years ago

Hi there,

I really hope that you get positve news from the dentist today, as the thought of losing most or all teeth fills me with dread. Hqwever, looking at the bigger picture, if all these proceedures are necessary and will give the best chance of beating this awful disease, then really you have to go for it. It won't be easy but maybe it won't be as bad as you think and we are all here to support you, any way we can.

Keeping everything crossed!

Love lizzie xx
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