They said they got it all
Well I hope they did.


This is a true-life story written as things happed by Sharon
I am a healthy 57-year-old non-smoker, non-drinker.
I was travelling 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)
and seems to be getting bigger daily

Chipped my tooth

October 2019

One afternoon while sitting eating dip and biscuits, I chipped my tooth, a large molar, bugger.
Not liking dentists, I put off going to see one for a couple of weeks, 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 a few private dentists in Bundaberg. One had an appointment on Wednesday, 12 October 2019.

I went to the dentist

The name of the dentist is Centrepoint Dentist
(An all female clinic)

Before extracting the tooth, the dentist told me what they intended to do and first they did a mouth x-ray, so they could see what was wrong and how deep the roots of my teeth were.
Trying to relax, the dentist gives me a 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
Eventually, it was all 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 gave me a referral to a maxillofacial specialist named Dr. Nigel Johnson, who visits Bundaberg from Brisbane once a fortnight.
A date was set to see him on the 1st November, 2019

Dr. Nigel Johnson

Maxillofacial specialist

Wesley Hospital Brisbane

The dentist did say that Dr. Johnson would be in contact with me. A few days after having tooth removed, Dr. Johnson did call me,
he asked if it would be possible to have a 3d Ct scan before the appointment in November. He told me that I would have to get a referral letter from the dentist for the scan.
No problem, 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 to see the Centrepoint Dentist, explaining the situation, they said they would write me a referral letter so I waited while it was written.
Next we off to Bundaberg Radiology were they do the 3d scans. An appointment was made to have the scans done on 16th October 2019.
I had to lie on a thin bed, which moves in and out of a large round 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 bite 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 doctors 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 of the hole in my palette, and went down the back of my throat causing me to gag and nearly be sick. My tongue went straight up to 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 is my mouth and I just swallowed a large piece of mucus, which came 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.
Even before this occurred, I would have liquids coming out of 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 into my nose. Not a nice feeling and it burns the nose.

A week later 23rd October, 2019, Dr. Johnson calls to say that he has seen the scans and he would like to take a biopsy when he sees me on the 1st November.
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

I'mFeeling 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. 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 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 tumour is normally found in older people who smoke and drink. You are a rare case.
He didn't want to alarm us, but he tells us that it is not looking good, but the biopsy will give us some answers.
He then goes on to say what he is going to do. Take a seat outside and a nurse will call you in. Ten minutes later I’m called in and prepared for the procedure.
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. Johnson uses a needle to numb the mouth before he can do the biopsy. He has to put several in before my mouth goes numb.
"They bloody hurt"
When the mouth is 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. Johnson wants to talk to me again before leaving.
Greg and I go back in to see Dr. Nigel Johnson, who says that he took a large piece out and that he will know the results within a week.
It is not looking good, but don't worry, the biopsy will tell us 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. Johnson calls me on phone.
I answer the call and the first thing Dr. Johnson asks me is how I am and if I'm sitting down?
He apologizes 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. Johnson says that the results have shown some bad news, that I have CANCER and that I will have to have surgery to remove the tumour in my mouth.
I start to shake and cry at the same time from shock of what I have just heard.
Dr. Johnson can hear me and my voice is very shaky and he asked me again if I am okay, again apologising for telling me over the phone.
I'm okay, just hearing you say cancer was a shock to me.
He then goes on to explain that he will be transferring me to the Royal Brisbane and 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 as well.
Dr. Johnson went on to explain that my cancer was a fast moving cancer that was eating the palette in 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 turned up side down.
And changed forever

I HAVE CANCER


BUT
I AM STRONG
AND I WILL BEAT IT.