I had CANCER
They said they got it all
Well I hope they did.
This is a true-life story written as things happened by Sharon
I am a healthy 57-year-old non-smoker, non-drinker.
I was traveling Qld
When a sudden unexpected u-turn happened in my life which started back in mid August 2019.
I started coughing and bringing up small amounts of blood, thinking it was from brushing my teeth too hard,
or maybe I’m getting a bit of sinus, I didn't take much notice of it until,
I discovered a small blister
13th September 2019
One afternoon while drinking a hot cuppa tea I discovered a small blister in the roof of my mouth, about the size of a small pea. Again I thought nothing more of it and it would go away in a few days as most blisters do
BUT
This blister was not going away
The blister has been in my mouth for three weeks.
I am still eating as normal but some hot and cold items can cause the blister to ache.
(the blister has a burning feeling and throbs)
& seems to be getting bigger daily
Chipped my tooth
October 2019
One afternoon while sitting eating dip & biscuits I chipped my tooth, a large molar bugger.
Not liking dentists I put off going to see one for couple of week but I had not only chipped my tooth but also exposed the nerves so every time I ate it would ache.
The pain was getting worse, so I called the public system but couldn't get in till November,
so I called a few private dentist in Bundaberg, one who had a appointment on Wednesday, 12 October2019.
I went to the dentist
The name of the dentist is Centrepoint Dentist
(An all female clinic)
When I attend the dentist to have tooth taken out. The dentist discuss with me what they are going to before extracting the tooth they did a mouth x-ray, so they could see what was wrong and how deep the roots of my teeth are.
Trying to relax, the dentist says she has to put in
couple of needles to numb my mouth. Ouch they hurt!.
I can feel the dentist start pulling the molar out it is rather rotten but one half is not and takes some tugging to remove it
The dentist did ended up taking the molar out.
After the dentist was working in my mouth she asked me about the blister, how long has it been there?
I said about 4 weeks.
The dentist was rather concerned but didn't know what is was.
She wants me to have a referral to an orthopedic or maxillofacial specialist.
Which comes up from Brisbane every fortnight. Dr Nigel Johnson so a date was set to see him on1st November.2019
Dr Nigel Johnson
Maxillofacial specialist
From Wesley Hospital Brisbane
Who visits Bundaberg every two weeks.
The dentist did say that Dr Nigel Johnson would be in contact with me. within a few days after having tooth removed Dr Nigel Johnson did call me,
he asked if it would be possible to have a 3d Ct scan before the appointment in November but I would have to get a referral letter from the dentist.
No problems I told him and when you have the scan can you have results sent to me at Wesley hospital.
After the phone call we went and seen the Centrepoint Dentist explaining the situation, they said they would write me a referral letter so I waited while it was written
and then I went around to Bundaberg Radiology were they do the 3d scans. The scans were done on 16th October 2019.
I had to lie on a thin bed, which moves in and out of a round large tunnel. Don’t move they say. I can hear the machine taking pictures. Whirring and spinning around. I close my eyes while the machine is spinning.
All done.
From this machine I am taken to another
x-ray room
where I have to stand up and bit onto a devise that goes into your mouth, this time the machine goes around your whole head taking pictures again. Ok all done.
We wait outside for the results and I receive a copy of the scans but no written results that is for the Drs only.
27th October 2019 the hole in my palette is getting rather large now.
Today while out shopping I noticed that a large piece of mucus or flem fell out from the hole of my mouth, and went down the back of my throat causing me to gag and nearly be sick. My tongue went straight up the where the hole is and I could feel that there was now a large hole in the top of my palette. Oh NO!
I say loudly ,I am also making a loud whistling noise as I breathe, the noise is loud enough that Greg can hear it.
What’s that noise? I say to him it my mouth and I just swallowed a large piece of mucus, which come out of the hole and that I am now whistling
I didn’t need to know that, and stop making that noise.
I can’t I reply back.
Even before this occurred I would have liquids coming out my nose as I tried to drink, brushing my teeth has become a chore as I have to hold my nose as I brush otherwise the toothpaste goes up the hole and out into my nose not a nice feeling and it burns the nose.
A week later 23-10-2019, Dr Nigel calls to say that he has seen the scans and he would like to do a biopsy on my mouth tumor when he sees me on the 1st November.
To confirm what its. I give him the OK to do a biopsy and will see him on the 1st November 2019.
Day surgery with Dr Nigel Johnson and Biopsy.
1st November 2019
Feeling rather nervous as Greg drives me over to the Bundaberg Private day hospital where I’m having the biopsy done,
before having the biopsy Dr Nigel Johnson calls me in and I asks if Greg can be present too? Yes of course.
Dr Nigel Johnson shows us the 3d scan pictures and says that it is rather large and growing rather fast.
He also asked me if I am a smoker or drinker?
To which I answer no never.
Hmm he says because this type of tumor is normally found in
older people who smoke and drink.
You are a rare case.
He won't say what it is but he says it not looking good, but this biopsy will soon tell.
He then goes on to say what he is going to do. Take a seat outside and a nurse will call you in. ok ten minutes later I’m called and prepared for surgery.
I have special covers on my feet and a hat on my head,
are you able to get up on the table.
Yes no problems.
Dr Nigel says that I have to put some needles in your mouth to numb it before I can do the biopsy. He has to put several in before my mouth goes numb.
"They bloody hurt"
Mouth numb he does the biopsy.
Half hour later
I walk out with a very numb mouth and a piece of white gauge hanging out my mouth not a pretty sight.
Dr Nigel wants to talk to me again before going out.
So Greg and I go back in to see Dr Nigel, who says that he took a large piece out and that he will know results within a week,
It not looking good but don't worry the biopsy will tell what it is.
Along week waiting
A week to the day of having the biopsy done
8th November 2019,
while out in Bundaberg shopping
Dr Nigel calls me on my mobile,
I answer the call and the first thing Dr Nigel asks
How I am and if I'm sitting down?
He apologises that he is not telling me in person, again asking if I'm sitting and do I have someone with me?
Yes I say to both questions
Then Dr Nigel says that the results have shown some bad news that I have CANCER
and that I will have to have surgery to remove the tumor in my mouth.
I start to shake and cry all at the same time from shock of what I have just heard,
Greg takes the phone but I have it on speaker and
Dr Nigel can hear me.
my voice is very shaky and he asked am I ok..
Also apologizing again for telling me over the phone
I'm ok just hearing you say cancer was a shock to me.
He then goes on to explain that he will be transferring me to the Brisbane Royal Woman’s Hospital maxillofacial team.
Who will call me within the month to make an appointment to see them.
He also said that he would send all scans and biopsy results to them too.
DR Nigel also went to explain that my cancer was a fast moving cancer that’s was eating the palette of my mouth.
It is mostly found in people who smoke and drink heavily but I don’t do either so he called this a rare case.
This is the day my life was turn up side down.
And changed forever
‘I HAVE CANCER
BUT
I AM STRONG
AND I WILL BEAT IT.’
You can read more about my experiences
