Jannine McHaffie had half her face removed after GP said her cancer was hayfever
JANNINE McHaffie had to have half her face removed after doctors realised they’d made a mistake: her hayfever was cancer.
IT’S THE stuff of nightmares.
A young UK mother had half her face removed after suffering severe nosebleeds. Doctors initially diagnosed her ailment as hayfever, but it turned out to be cancer.
Jannine McHaffie, 25, of Chelmsford in the UK, had her upper teeth, palate bone, top right jaw, and parts of her cheek bones removed after finally being diagnosed with adenoids cystic carcinoma (ACC).
The brave full-time mum was diagnosed with the rare type of oral cancer, which affects the salivary glands, six months after finding a strawberry-sized tumour in her nose.
Now Jannine is back home recovering after surgeons removed a bone from her leg to rebuild the missing facial features.
“What started out as a few heavy nosebleeds turned out to be the most horrifying journey of my life,” said the mother-of-one.
“I went to my GP, who said it was hayfever and there wasn’t a lot he could do about it.
“Then after 10 months I was finally diagnosed with ACC. I was terrified; I’ve never heard of anything like it.
“I was sat down as surgeons told me they had to remove most of my upper mouth, which would be mainly reconstructed by using the fibula bone in my right leg.
“I took a deep breath and put on a brave smile; I knew it had to be done.
“I just kept thinking about my daughter Leylah. I wanted them to do whatever it took to save me as I don’t want to miss a second of her growing up.
“I’ve been back home recovering for three weeks now and, a few days ago, I finally walked again for the first time with no crutches.
“I’ve still got radiotherapy to face yet once my mouth and face has healed but I know I’ll smash that after going through all of this.”
By January, the lump in Jannine’s nose had got so big that it affected her breathing.
By February 24, she was finally diagnosed with ACC and surgeons explained the next stage would be to remove most of her upper mouth.
Jannine underwent the gruelling 13-hour operation on May 26, followed by two further procedures.
“I was sedated for three days whilst I underwent three different operations,” she said.
“After the first one, surgeons knew that something wasn’t quite right with the roof of my mouth and the blood flow.
“I needed the blood flow into my mouth increased as I kept getting blood clots.
“I was extremely lucky to be referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London. I instantly felt in good hands and they’ve been fantastic.
“I finally came round on the Saturday and (was) kept in the coronary care unit for a few more days and then intensive care for one day then onto a ward and finally I went home on the Friday.
“It was a bit early but I was missing my daughter like crazy and wanted to recover at home.”
The operation was successful but Jannine will have to have minor surgery next week to have a plate fitted to the roof of her mouth to fix a small hole.
“My little girl has been my main focus to get through everything. Little does she know she’s getting mummy through every day,” she said.
“I couldn’t have got through this without the help of my parents, their partners and my wonderful boyfriend Chris.
“He was diagnosed with testicular cancer two years ago but is now thankfully in remission. It’s just crazy how a young couple can both end up with such awful diseases.
“The recovery process is long and in about one year when everything’s settled I will be able to have veneers and my appearance should return to normal.
“It’s not easy but every day gets better and positivity is very important. If you remain positive then you can get through anything.
“I don’t know what my future holds, but I plan to fight this every step of the way.”
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