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Diagnosis.

     My last employment was as a technical trainer and, since this involved  talking a lot in class, I tended to suffer occasional sore throats as a consequence. These cleared up quickly after a couple of days rest and were just an inconvenience rather than a concern. In June last year after a few weeks without lecturing, I was still experiencing a recurring scratchy throat so, I decided to visit my GP for a check up.
      The consultation was brief but profound. After peering down my throat and feeling round my neck he told me I had a tumour on the back of my tongue which required immediate investigation. Despite his impeccably calm bedside manner, I understood the implications of his initial diagnosis and felt worried. My anxiety was raised even further when I received a phone call much later that evening from the surgery, detailing a hospital clinic appointment I should attend without fail.

     Forty eight hours later I had been seen by specialists in two different hospitals. The second doctor, in the maxillofacial clinic at the Central Middlesex Hospital, did a detailed examination of the tumour site. This involved using a long, thin optical device ( fibreoptic nasendoscope ), introduced via my left nostril. Neither doctor said very much, but their serious demeanor and defensive answers left me in no doubt concerning their suspicions.
       A biopsy was scheduled for the following Monday and, as this would require a general anaesthetic, I had various medical tests and an explanatory chat before signing a consent form for the surgery.