12. Dentistry

Monday 9th January 2012, 01:30 PM


1st time in 'the chair' in 25 years, Guy's Hospital, London


One effect of the Radiation Therapy will be a significant change in the jaws ability to "heal" from below the gum line dental surgery.


So significant is this that not only did Mr Terry make this perfectly clear at my last consultation with him, but so to did Dr Lei at my first consultation with her. This examination was to determine whether I would need any preventative and\or preemptive dental work prior to RT. It looks unlikely. Apart from cleaning ( which they will do for me ) my teeth appear to be in reasonable condition. I do have 4 unerupted wisdom teeth but as they are not out yet they can stay where they are. Dr Mary Burke and the "Senior / Specialist" she had look at my X-Rays were both delighted that both Mr Terry and Dr Lei had been drumming this home, "finally the message is getting through" they both agreed.


Another effect of the RT might be 'dry mouth' reduced production of saliva, and I have agreed to take part in a clinical trial of a treatment for this, more to follow on that another time.


I was an hour late for this appointment, I had set my watch to the wrong time. The receptionist didn't think that they'd be able to see me that day, but asked me to wait anyway. Thankfully for me Dr Burke found time to see me, almost immediately. So signing up for the clinical trial seemed the least I could do, and maybe the results might make things a little more bearable for the others that will come after me.


The Dental Departments at Guy's Hospital falls under the Sedation & Special Care Department up on the 26 floor of the Tower, the views over London are worth the visit alone.

The view from 26 floors up, South towards The Elephant & Castle

The view from 26 floors up, North towards The Tower of London

Edited by Jo W, with thanks

11. Audiology

Monday 9th January 2012, 12:30 PM


Hearing Test, hey, what, pardon ! Guy's Hospital, London



One possible effect of the Radiation Therapy is a loss of hearing. Ranging from slight to severe, to total and from short to long term, to permanent.


However ! if this does turn out to be the case it would probably only affect the one ear ( "this ear here, what this ear, no that ear there, oh ! this ear here" ) and can be corrected with surgery to install a 'Grommet' ( no Wallace ).


The test is conducted through head phones and a bone conductor, and consists of just a series of tones at varying volumes, pitches and frequencies.


I had rather hoped it would be more like a sight test but for ears, Where you would have to listen to various sounds at various levels and identify them...


Meow = cat
Woof-woof = dog
Beep-beep = car horn
Ring-ring = telephone
Squeak-squeak = mouse
Plink-plink = Gin & Tonic etc.


So this test was to establish my present state of hearing, and as I suspected "perfect". And would if necessary be used as a comparison to any possible future loss of hearing and the correction thereof.


Audrey, who conducted the test, yes thats right 'Audrey from Audio' even said that I had "acute hearing" I told her that they were only cheep hoops from H Samuel, but thanks all the same.


Edited by Jo W, with thanks