In October 2009, and after numerous tests etc, I was diagnosed with Cancer, a malignant tumour in my left Submandibular Gland. On 15 November 2009 I had a radical neck surgery to remove the tumour. I also had all the Lymph Nodes removed along with several muscles and nerves from my left neck throat and shoulder area. The Plastic Surgeon reconstructed my neck taking a flap and skin grafts from my right thigh. Surgery lasted 13 hours followed by a 2-day stay in Intensive care. All went ok at first but unfortunately after 5-days my flap died. I was rushed into surgery for the second time but unfortunately the flap could not be saved and a second flap was taken from my chest. My chest was repaired from skin grafts taken from my left thigh. Basically I looked like I had been attacked by a Lion!!!
I was discharged from hospital on Christmas Eve. My wounds were still angry and had to be cleaned and dressed on a daily basis by the district nurse.
Mid Jan-10 and I started a 6-week Radical Radiotherapy programme. The initial 2 / 3 weeks were not too much of a problem then the side effects kicked in and reached a crescendo a week or so after the programme was completed. At this stage my tongue, throat and mouth were swollen, very sore and covered in ulcers. My saliva had completely dried up except for some horrible tasting thick phlegm. At this point a was relying on my PEG for all nutrition. I could barley swallow a sip of water.
After a bout 2-weeks things slowly started to improve. I really forced myself to eat. It was only a spoonful at first but I kept going and had my PEG removed about a week later. The medical team were very reluctant to remove the PEG so soon but I was determined to eat and insisted that the PEG was removed. All the Fortisips went into the bin. I hated the dreadful things.
So here I am in April-10 and still battling on. My Consultant along with the Medical Team are amazed and pleased with my determination and progress to date. I have lots of things to contend with and learn to live with. My mouth and throat are still a bit sore and my saliva is still a problem. My saliva will never return to normal as my left gland was removed during surgery but things are getting better and it is hoped that in time the other glands will compensate. My lower left lip and left side of my tongue are completely numb and always will be. This along with the lack of saliva affects my speech and eating. My swallow is weak due to the muscles that were removed from my neck. However I am dealing with this and learning to adapt. I now eat just about anything although I have to cut down on portion size and my apatite is not what it was. Prior to Radiotherapy I had 7 back teeth removed. That’s just about all of them. I can only chew on my right side as if I use my left side I keep biting my lip and tongue as they are numb and I can feel them. I chew on about 3 teeth. I am going to get some dentures to help with eating and chewing but just about manage at the moment. My left shoulder and arm are weak due to the lymph Nodes, Muscles, nerves etc etc being removed. My shoulder also aches like hell at times. I am hoping that with exercise this will also improve with time. Very recently I have developed a problem with my hearing in my left ear. My hearing is muffled and also have a very annoying humming / buzzing sound all the time. Doctors are looking at this problem now and I am hoping they can sort this out.
Looking forward I am planning my return to work in June-10. Later on in the year, about October, I need more Plastic Surgery to tidy up my neck and chest. The flap on my neck has taken very well but is very bulky and needs reducing. My chest is a bit of a mess and needs “tidy up” surgery. This will be 3 or 4 separate operations but only minor compared to the original surgery.
I look forward to the side effects of radiotherapy continuing to improve and getting the Plastic Surgery out of the way.
Next week my wife Anne and I are going on holiday in Spain for a couple of weeks. We stay in a beautiful village, Mijas Puebelo, high in the mountains overlooking the coast on the Costa Del Sol. The break will do us both the world of good. We have a few close friends who live out there and we are looking forward to sharing a glass or 2 or 3 or 4 of red wine with then.
It’s been a long haul, and at times, I have had to dig real deep. I have had my moments when feeling depressed and sorry for myself but for the most I have managed to stay positive. My wife Anne, son Daniel and close family and friends have been fantastic in helping me through this. The medical Team at Guys Hospital have also been brilliant and I can’t thank them enough, especially my Consultant ENT Surgeon.
Well that’s my story so far and hopefully over the worst.
My best wishes to you all,
Mark.
