Text size

Theme

Language

"The dealing with a rare cancer, malignant nasal mucosal melanoma"

About: Prince of Wales Hospital / L0 NCCC - Radiation Oncology Unit

(as the patient),

It was late October 2023, and I was having difficulty blowing my nose which was a trigger to me due to earlier nasal operations in my late teens and early twenties.

I finally had time to book an appointment with my GP in late November 2023 and he referred me to an ENT specialist whose office I rang the same day and booked for mid April 2024. In January 2024, I visited my GP again in January 2024 who referred me to an alternate ENT but was not available until mid May 2024. My nose was getting more and more difficult to blow so on February 2024 I rang the office of the first ENT to see if I could get an earlier appointment which was happened due to a cancellation just before I rang.

The time line from that appointment, late February, 2024 was breathtaking, the Doctor took an several biopsies, he notified of the positive result on the following week, made an appointment for me at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick in Sydney at the Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Care Centre a couple of days later, where I was the subject of a group discussion by numerous different specialists. they made appointments for an MRI at a private hospital two days later, a PET scan the next day and was operated on by the ENT specialist Dr  Andrew the following week.

After the operation I felt like I hadn't been operated and whilst I was kept overnight was able to be discharged early the next day. I can't say enough about the system that got me to the operation. It was personal, with explanations given at key points, it made me feel that a group of people were concerned about my welfare, which was particularly appreciated after reading many of the medical reports concerning mucosal melanomas.

My ENT I visited post operative and gleaned that Dr Wenchang, an Oncologist was taking over the next phase dealing with the ray treatment. The staff of the treatment area of the Nelune Centre/Prince of Wales were just unbelievable. They were kind, professional, obviously knowledge able about what they did and could explain the process to alleviate many of the concerns that arise daily. Dr Wenchang reviewed the treatment weekly and answered both my questions and those of my wife. I have now finished the 30 sessions of ray treatment and it is funny that I miss the contact with those very talented radiation therapists. It would be remiss if I didn't mention in particular the head therapists, they were outstandingly  good at what they do.

I am now starting on the review process part of the treatment to ascertain that they have limited the travel of any harmful after effects. Time will tell I guess, but I am more that hopeful that they will give many more years to enjoy the the growing up of my family.

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k