Peter, 64, keeps smiling through

Chronicle and Macmillan Have a Good Day campaign

FORMER coalman Peter Thompson made a rare visit to the dentist when he started to get pains in his mouth.

He had most of his teeth removed over the following three weeks, but when the pain persisted he was advised to go for a scan.

Peter (64), was diagnosed with mouth cancer in March, 2009, and started a course of radical treatment which resulted in him having his tongue removed.

His wife, Gloria, said: “When I realised that one of the symptoms of mouth cancer is a white patch on the tongue, I just wished I had known earlier.

“I had noticed a white patch on Peter’s tongue but didn’t think anything of it.”

By the time Peter was diagnosed, his cancer was very advanced, and the couple were told it was barely operable.

But surgeons decided to do what they could, and he underwent a 13-hour operation to have his entire tongue removed.

Seven weeks later he left hospital, but was unable to eat and now has to be fed through a tube.

Gloria explained: “Peter’s whole life has changed dramatically. I can’t imagine never having a cup of coffee or a meal, but he still manages to retain his sense of humour.”

One of 15 brothers and sisters, Peter lost a lot of weight through his treatment, and he got a grant from Macmillan Cancer Support, to help him “Have a Good Day.”

It meant he could buy new clothes to fit him, and a dryer to help Gloria deal with all the extra washing resulting from the feeding tube.

Peter is still under the care of Macmillan in the form of Emma Riley. Based at the Royal Oldham Hospital she is the country’s only Macmillan oral health practitioner.

Gloria said: “Emma has been a fantastic support to myself and Peter and we attend her clinic once a fortnight.”

Emma said: “The mouth can be affected a great deal during and after cancer treatment.

“A comfortable mouth plays a big part in the physical and psychological state of the patient, and my role involves ensuring the patient’s mouth is comfortable.”

Her role was commended by Peter’s surgeon, Mr Andrew Baldwin. He said: “Unfortunately, in Peter’s case, the diagnosis was made very late and as a result he had to have extremely radical surgery to prevent him dying.

“Although he obviously has functional problems in the form of speech difficulties and problems with swallowing, Peter continues to show a good attitude and has retained his sense of humour.

“The input provided by Emma to the ongoing care for Peter has been extremely valuable.

“Without her input, Peter would not be able to maintain the cleanliness of his mouth which could result in even greater problems for him.”






Peter and Gloria told their story to support the Macmillan and Oldham Chronicle’s “Have a Good Day campaign.”



Anyone who has organised a fundraising event, raised £369, or has claimed a grant and has a story to tell to support the appeal can contact Marina Berry on 0161-622 2126, or email marinaberry@oldham-chronicle.co.uk