Hi,
Over last decade I have had Cancer three times. 2011 I was diagnosed with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Went though Chemo and a Radio together. Made full recovery and entered remission in 2012.
I went on to become a University Lecturer and came 2nd in Great Britain at surfing in 2014. But... the same Cancer returned in 2015. Treatment was completely unavailable here in the South West. So, I had to go to London and have Facial De-gloving surgery and more radiation with a £40k private health care bill. All with only a 10% chance of getting rid of it for good.
I entered remission in April 2016 while battling Sepsis. I was incredibly ill in the aftermath of treatment and this was fully punctuated when I received a terminal diagnosis for two aggressive brain tumours in August of 2016. Where three different hospitals said it was time to get ready for the end and only major brain surgery to de-bulk the larger of the two tumours may extend life from 6-8 months to maybe 18 months. So... for the sake of my two children I went ahead. Only for then them to analyse the tumour mass that was removed to find that the tumour was made of dead cancer cells. Which they could not explain... given that I had not received treatment in that area.
I am now Cancer free, yet left with severe and very “complex” forms of physical and mental issues. All of which are nothing to do with the cancers and everything to do with treatment.
This includes my being deaf, having no sense of smell, my jaw is completely locked shut (Trismus), no feeling in half of my face and the bones in the front of my skull and jaw are completely dead. Due to Ostioradionecrosis... all of which caused by radiation. Along with no feeling in my feet and lower legs from Peripheral Neuropathy caused by over use of antibiotics.
Unfortunately, the very worst part of all this has been the brutal miss-management and neglect in dealing with the NHS. As well as zero care for the loved ones around me having to deal with all this. Something I have seen many to have to deal with as I’ve seen the NHS crumble away to what it has now become over the last decade. Especially in dealing with patients post-treatment. As many of the issues I now carry could have lessened or completely avoided if action had been taken earlier. Rather than being left to sit of 5-9 month waiting lists. Only to be passed to another specialist and having to wait another 5-9 months... and all to just be told “nothing can by done now”. When it could have been...
... and maybe one day we will have an NHS service that is well enough funded that it actually caters effectively for all those who survive and are left with chronic illness to deal with.
Good Luck!
