tooth hurty

Last week I developed a dental abscess.

It came on really quickly, a bit of toothache for about 24 hours then a lot of swelling and a temperature of 38.  That meant a visit to Velindre on a Sunday evening again.  Fortunately all my blood tests were normal so I didn't have to stay in hospital.

What it did mean was 1. antibiotics 2. chemo delayed for 2 weeks 3. removal of the tooth

When you're a trainee surgeon one of the first (and most frequent) operations you do is to lance abscesses.  The vast majority of these are very close to peoples bottoms and have to be done under general anaesthetic.  The smell from the pus that they contain stays with you forever and seems to cling to everything despite wearing a mask and gloves and a surgical gown.

Well- an abscess, is an abscess, is an abscess.  So if you have your tooth pulled out to treat the abscess the only way the pus can exit is straight into your mouth! Should be some emojis here of someone being sick!!!!

Anyway I haven't had chemo now for 3 weeks so Im feeling pretty normal physically.  For the first time in 2 months I was able to train in the boxing club.  Really easy to spur the others on by saying that they've got to beat the targets of someone who's got cancer!!