Visit to Dr Dale Howes

Ok, so I didn't even know what a Prosthodontist was until I walked into his rooms, I was again met by a lovely team of people and am being looked after there by Sabine, Angela was busy getting ready for more note taking, Dale is a lovely guy, really caring and supportive. Sabine then takes an x-ray of my jaw, whilst I am in the "chair" Dale is on the phone already looking to get me into see the next person I need to see as part of this diagnosis, treatment journey - you really don't understand the complexities of everything until you get into this type of illness

Angela's notes:

Dentist – Professor Howes

General

-       2 extractions and associated tooth implants

-       Let the implants heal for between 21 – 28 days prior to radiotherapy

-       Implants to be installed a few months after completion of the radiotherapy

-       Caries test required to examine saliva and any antibodies etc prior to commencement of treatment – later today

He then tells me to prepare for the radiation treatment I will need to have two rear mowlers on the right hand side lower jaw removed as this will potentially give me trouble either during or after radiation. My immediate thought is what I paid for my gold cap and the expensive root canal work I had done a number of years ago, but hey!

He also reiterates what the oncologist has told me that this is a very serious cancer, that if you ignore this it will kill you...comforting words but at least you know what you up against. I must say the direct approach the guys in SA give you (well to me) is great, I am a very direct, upfront person, so to get this told to me in the same way helps me massively

He explains how he is going to get me to see a Maxillo-Facial surgeon, again didn't even know what they did until now, and that I should pop over NOW? Wow amasing, so off I go to see Dr. Boyes-Varley.