I couldn’t give my mum a hug before life-saving surgery
Nursery teacher Mandy Peebles was devastated to be diagnosed with mouth cancer at the age of 30. “Everyone is scared when they are told they have cancer and I was prepared to go to any lengths to get the surgery needed to remove it,” said Mandy, from Cowglen, Glasgow. “I came across the pea-sized lump by accident, while looking for a wisdom tooth coming through. A referral to Glasgow Dental Hospital and a biopsy in December led to an appointment at the maxillofacial unit at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. “Results confirmed it was cancer in January, just as Covid was spreading across mainland Europe to the UK.”
Mandy had two operations, in March and April. She said: “The government warnings about cancer patients being at extra risk made me lock down at home and when I was told by Professor Mccaul that I would have to completely isolate I did everything possible to ensure I remained Covid-free. Catching the virus would mean my operation would be cancelled.
“My fiancé Calum is a railways maintenance engineer who works in isolation with PPE so all possible transmission was sealed off.
“I could only see my parents by waving to them when they passed my garden gate and that was heartbreaking.
“Not being able to hug my mum before undergoing surgery was painful for us both. But that’s what it took to get the surgery and I can only thank the surgical team for everything they did.
“I was fully aware that mouth cancer was a hill to climb and early treatment was vital.
“I was isolated in hospital for two days before the op and tested before going into theatre. “The minutes seemed like hours as I waited for the Covid test results. When they returned negative the feeling of relief was amazing.” Mandy added: “Calum and I are marrying in exactly a year and I now have everything to live for.”
LEADING IMMUNOLGIST ON HOW TO BOOST NATURAL DEFENCES AS LOCKDOWN EASES