Hey everyone,

I didn't gel with my Head & Neck specialist, or much of her team. When I got my diagnosis from a dental team they made me feel as if I was in safe hands, but the next day I met with the team at the hospital which I was going to be treated at and I found their bedside manner very blunt. I understand my cancer is life changing, I understand that my treatment is going to be tough, but I felt like the wrote me off.

They recommended I went for a 2nd opinion at a different hospital, who said almost the same thing to me but they said it in such a way that I felt the fight in me want to get going. Team 2 were far more positive and pro-me! Team 2 also introduce me to a 3rd team (crazy right!) who said I fit the criteria for an immunotherapy trial (689). It would run with my treatment.
They said that I would have 2 doses of immunotherapy before surgery to try to reduce my tumour (my tumour covers the left latteral side and is 1.5cm over the halfway point into the right. They will reduce 2/3 to 3/4 of my tongue. The base is looking good though). I will then have a partial glossectomy, neck dissection on both left and right, followed by reconstruction.

I'm going to have 30 sessions of radiotherapy and chemo thrown in with the immunotherapy on top.

I met Team 3 last week and their encoragement and positivity blew me away. They were honest and gave me worst case vs best case, which is far more than Team 1 did.

So for anyone out there who is at the beginning of this awful journey, always get a 2nd opinion and if you don't get on with your team then do find yourself someone who makes you want to live and fight to live.


F 39 x-smoker no alcohol
05/20/19 T4aN1/N2bM0 SCC a whopper of a tumour at 8cm long & 4cm wide
Pembro pre & post surgery
RIG
Glossectomy ND RFFR 08/13/19
RT x33
2x cispltin
So far, no evidence of disease
Now an author of a recipe book for mouth cancer patients