I was diagnosed with tongue cancer on the 31st March, 2009  (Maisy's birthday). On the 2nd May (Wendy's birthday) I had a 15 hour operation to remove a tumour at the QMC in . Mr McVicar and his team successfully removed the tumour and some cancer cells that had spread to my neck. I have lost 2/3 of my tongue.

 

Since then I have had 6 weeks of daily radiotherapy and weekly chemotherapy which was dreadful. After surgery and treatment I obviously have quite a change to my lifestyle. My speech is impaired and I am not able to eat solid foods…yet. My aim is to improve my speech so that I can teach again and eat a meal again without using a blender.  

There have been some pretty low moments over the last few months but my family and friends have really supported me and helped me stay positive. I live my life the best way I can by following two values and a motto: no self-pity, no false sentimentality, and ‘No one provokes me with impunity’.

Fundraising and awareness building have become a very important part of what I devote my time to now as a sufferer of this dreadful disease. My aim is to get tongues wagging about tongue cancer and raise its profile. Very few people have heard about it.

In order to raise awareness of mouth and neck cancer I appeared in the Nottingham Evening Post. You can read the article online

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/homenews/Skin-arm-used-rebuild-tongue/article-1083039-detail/article.html

I wrote an article in The Times Educational Supplement which appeared in their magazine and online which you can view at

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6019870

I have also appeared on BBC Radio Nottingham. My surgeon and I spoke about mouth cancer on the Frances Finn show.  

I have been lucky to have such wonderful support from my friends and their friends when fundraising. The goal for me during my treatment was to complete The Mouth Cancer Foundation Hyde Park 10K Walk….I did it! This was a special day and it was very well attended. Thank you to Ian, Cathy, Elliott, Morgan and Christian for joining me and Wendy.  

A good friend of ours, Richard Marriott and boss of MWE Ltd (www.mwe.ltd.uk) kindly nominated The Mouth Cancer Foundation as his firm's chosen charity to mark their 20th year in business. Richard and his colleagues completed the National Three Peaks Challenge in September and that is quite something! Thank you to everyone who took part.

Look at the events we have been lucky enough to have had support from so far:  

Teddy Bear’s Picnic and Raffle, Wollaton House Day Nursery.

Fields and Nursery Sponsored Walk.

Wollaton Dad’s and Toddlers Charity Golf Day.

The Wollaton Pub and Kitchen Pub Quiz.     

Then of course there is the individual support we have had from folks donating to this page. It’s very humbling.   

 

Charity events to support the Mouth Cancer Foundation we are planning for next year include a cricket tournament, a clay pigeon shoot, a bike ride, disco, comedy night and a climb up Snowdonia.

Fundraising and awareness building is never-ending which is why I am committed to doing what I can. Please join us and help if you can.

John, Wendy and Maisy.