Case study: Marlene Gallop

A former nurse who trained at the RUH has given her support to the Forever Friends appeal. Marlene Gallop was a student nurse at the Combe Park hospital in 1961, training at both the Bath and Wessex Orthopaedic Hospital, then a separate hospital on the Combe Park site, and the RUH. The 73-year-old is currently undergoing treatment at the Facial Surgery and Orthodontics Unit at the RUH, and says the compassion from staff has helped her through difficult times. “Twenty years ago, I had a facial tumour removed from my jaw by specialist surgeons at the RUH,” said Mrs Gallop, who lives in Bitton. “After the surgery, I was then given a course of radiotherapy to prevent any recurrence in that area and destroy any remaining cancer cells. Radiotherapy can be an exhausting and stressful treatment to receive, which often involves wearing a large plastic mould to keep you still, which felt claustrophobic. “Some years later, when I visited my local dentist to have a tooth extracted, I found myself being referred to the Facial Surgery and Orthodontics Unit at the RUH for a second time. The radiotherapy treatment I had received had made dental work difficult in that area — and my dentist wasn’t confident that he could remove a tooth without causing a problem. During my appointment at the hospital, I mentioned that I was suffering from a sore inside my mouth and a biopsy was taken. “It was confirmed that the cancer had returned, so I then had a number of consultations, surgeries and treatments at the RUH and the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI). Despite excellent treatment at the BRI, I much prefer coming to the RUH in Bath as I know and enjoy the company of the staff, and I was so relieved when I found out that I could receive the radiotherapy course at the RUH as I know it can be an unpleasant experience, but I’m supported by staff I know I can trust.”