Australian Army Apprentices Association Inc

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Following is the content of an email from Brett..

All,
An update for those who do know and to advise those who I haven’t had the opportunity to advise, on Friday 09 Jan 09 I was diagnosed with pharyngeal cancer (cancer of the neck and throat).
I will undergo surgery to cut out the secondary cancer this Thursday (22 Jan 0 and be in hospital about a week or so. Whilst in hospital I will also have my molars extracted as these cause problems when undergoing the second stage of the treatment (radio/chemotherapy).
I will then start radiation/chemotherapy treatment about the week beginning 23 Feb 09 which will entail radiation therapy every day for seven weeks and chemotherapy in weeks 1, 4 and 7.
The cancer, so I am advised, is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is a common cancer of the tonsils and is also the virus associated with cervical cancer in women (OK you can start your jokes now).
I will undergo the radio/chemo for about seven weeks with the second half (final three to four weeks) apparently the worst as the radiation will cause my throat to become “sunburnt” on the inside and I will have difficulty swallowing plus I can look forward to mouth ulcers and the cessation of any saliva production. For this reason I will have a feeding tube inserted into my stomach (through my abdomen) within the next few weeks so if and when I can’t swallow I can still take in nutrition.
I should, by all accounts be “back to normal” health wise about the beginning of June 09 as it takes about the same length of time after the radio/chemo is finished (seven weeks) for me to start feeling normal again. With this said I will have ongoing symptoms such as lack of saliva production for about the next 18 months.
I will be back and forwards to work (as my health permits) so if you wish to contact me you can do so on either brett.gould@telstra.com or brett.bmgconsulting@gmail.com you can also contact Heather for regular updates at bhtmd@bigpond.com
If you wish to contact me to have a talk you can do so on 0439 852 404 but please understand if I don’t answer the phone (especially whilst in hospital later this week and during the second half of the radio/chemo therapy.

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AAAA Inc Webmaster