Diagnosis & chat with oncologist ... finally!

Ahh thanks Carole - I've just replied to your post.  Unfortunately my treatment looks like it'll be delayed by 2 weeks as I have a gap between a crown and my gum line which dentist says I need extracted.  My gums bleeding when I brush teeth.  Only appointment I could get is on 13th April & will take 7-10 days to heal over.  My cancer treatment was meant to start on 12th April!! This means a delay of 2 weeks.

So I'm a bit lost at mo (again!). Oncologist isn't happy and to be honest I'm not as the anal pain I have is only getting worse & so keep wondering if cancers getting worse.  But I feel there's nothing I can do as i don't want to start cancer treatment and have issues.  Feel I'm prone to infection with bleeding gums and gap.  

Perhaps on Monday I'll call other dentists on off chance they could fit me in - unsure what to do.  Plus it's easter so lots of bank holidays not helping. I have passed on my dentists details to the oncologist, perhaps if he'd called them this week he'd got me an appointment sooner.  I did explain to them how urgent it is though, and they did shift people around so I could get seen on 13th.

Really glad you felt a bit better once off chemo, I'm keeping a watch on your posts to see how you go and wishing you well.  Get lots of rest when can and drink lots of water, cheers to you 2 weeks in! X

Thanks Red - sorry for delayed reply.  Yes I'll send a friend request as lots more I could happily go on about ha ha.

Yes, mushrooms are fascinating. I've just started a active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) supplement, started off on turkey tail and reishi but think I'll just switch to this as AHCC is more expensive and has good reviews etc.. see if it helps at all at least! I try to trust what nature provided, although I do check to see if anything will possibly impact chemo.

I also wonder about the higher rise of certain cancers such as colon cancers in younger population - in my mind could be numerous things with lifestyle changes over the years, but one in particular that people tend to carry around them and close contact is mobile phones...but I'll leave that discussion for another time

Just read this, and in your shoes I would go first to the dental practice treating you and ask for a message to be passed to your dentist explaining your situation - even email him directly.  The receptionist may well tell you there are no appointments but please push hard.  It is more than likely s/he has no idea and would really move mountains to fit you in.  I had to do similar prior to my treatment; I had a mole that had grown and when the consultant I saw found out I was starting cancer treatment referred me to her colleague who removed it at 8am in the next morning.  (Privately, but I had seen her before for skin checks).  Failing that, a Google and ring round for emergency treatment in your area. 

Very best of luck, I really hope you get this sorted out.

Irene xx

Thanks so much Irene.  Yes, I explained about my cancer treatment but the dentist who's meant to be treating me was on sick leave this week and then has next week off as annual leave. 

My actual dentist is seeing me on Tuesday to give another tooth a filling - why she can't do the extraction I'm not sure as that's the one that takes time to heal.  I did call the receptionists back & explained how much pain I was in and that I need my cancer treatment asap - so they cancelled appointments to get me seen on 13th.I've sent an email to oncologist explaining it all, passed on the contact details & suggested he calls them (perhaps he may have more luck!).

I wish I'd thought to call around other dentists near me earlier this week - it feels bad timing with easter and bank holidays / a lot of people going on leave.  I'll try and see if can get seen quicker, fingers crossed! Xx

Em, I have just googled Emergency Dental treatment Bristol and it is coming up with lots of options, please give some of these numbers a ring - it may well get you the treatment you need much sooner.

Irene xx

I was just looking up for emergency dental treatment where I live but I think it's more of private treatment, which I may need to do if want to get seen next week. Pretty sure anyone would still want to see me for initial look prior to extraction in which case it may still not be until week after but I'll definitely try! Many thanks Xx

Hi Em - if you can manage it, I'd bite the bullet and have it done privately - you'll get a better service all round anyway with time given for advice.  I gave up on NHS dentistry as I wanted a better service!   Think its around £90 for an extraction.  Maybe also ring  Macmillan for advice. Take care and good luck

Carole