Normal and temporary

This is the delightful Dr Mehmet Sen, a clinical oncologist from Turkey who specialises in head and neck cancer.

He really is one of the friendliest medical people I have come across and he treats L with respect, gentle humour and kindness.

Despite the radiotherapy having finished, L knew to expect worsening side effects before the recovery begins but today, she was expecting to be told she had anaemia, an infection or perhaps an abscess in her mouth - quite revolting pain and oozing wounds have developed over the weekend. This is simply matter of fact, L does not do well on sympathy so I give her only a little and she would expect less!

Dr Sen listened, took notes and reassured L. His words were, "This is normal. This is temporary. It's exactly what I would expect to see." These words he repeated a few times and we joked about them. They were encouraging for L and he has given her the drive she needs to get through another 7 days when he assured her the side effects would be clearly subsiding.

After being unable to eat all weekend, L has had two cups of blended pea & ham soup as well as a slice of bread and butter. She is still dosed up with more painkillers than I care to write about but this evening, she quoted 'minimum pain while eating' so the painkillers are again having an effect. I take this as a good sign!

L may well only have one more appointment with him so I took the opportunity today to request a photo of a real gentleman.