Businesspeople are invited to support a University Hospital of North Midlands Charity film launch that highlights how groundbreaking surgery backed by cutting edge equipment saved a cancer patient’s life.
The hard-hitting documentary shows specialists using 3D printed models of Alison Hough’s face to help them plan a highly complex 17-hour operation to remove a rare cancerous tumour. Without the successful procedure, doctors said, she had about two weeks to live.
Later they used the same 3D technology to help reconstruct bones in her forehead and jaw, which were destroyed by radiotherapy needed to combat the rare adenocarcinoma.
Seven years on, and grandmother-of-five Alison, of Audley, Staffordshire, is, in her own words “living her best life” and has returned to work part time as a university lecturer in adult nursing.
The remarkable story is told in the film shot to raise awareness of the UHNM Charity, which funded the 3D printer.
It demonstrates how the Charity uses fundraising and donations – many from businesses – to buy state-of-the-art equipment, supporting the UNHM team’s skilled work.
The documentary also sheds a light on how the groundbreaking treatment carried out at UHNM by Consultant Head and Neck Surgeon Mr Aijith George and Consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Mr Daya Gahir.
Talking to Daily Focus about her journey, Alison, 59, who works at Keele University, said: “I had no idea I had the tumour. I returned from holiday with a heavy cold and for several weeks was told I had sinusitis.
“But things got worse, and I was referred to the UHNM for a CT scan. When I saw the results, I couldn’t believe what I was looking at – the tumour had grown all the way around the right-hand side of my face, up to my brain, behind my eye and cheekbone and into my nose.
“I was told it was growing upwards and was about two weeks from being terminal, so surgery was arranged very quickly.”
Alison added: “It was a very complex operation on a very rare tumour, especially in women. But Mr Gahir and Mr George and their team were fantastic.
“They used the 3D printer to create models of my face from a scan and this helped them to plan how to carry out the surgery. As far as I’m aware, they had never done anything like this before.”
The operation lasted 17 hours. However, subsequent doses of radiotherapy destroyed bones in Alison’s forehead and jaw, leading to several other reconstruction operations.
She said: “Again, they used the 3D modelling to create molds – they were then able to use part of my shoulder blade to replace the forehead bone and the top of a fibula for my jaw.
“Recovering has been difficult at times – psychologically as much as anything. I lost my confidence and thought people were staring at me. But over time I learned that if I don’t shy away people are more likely to want to engage.
“Over the last year, I returned to work at Keele three days a week – lecturing again has really helped with my confidence.
“But I can’t thank everyone at UHNM enough. Seven years ago I was looking at two weeks’ to live. Since then I’ve seen so much – my daughter’s wedding, the birth of my five grandchildren. I really am living my best life again.”
The documentary will be shown at a special movie premiere event on November 9, taking place at The Wade Conference Centre – formally known as the Medical Institute – in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent.
Afterwards, members of the audience will be able to put questions to Alison as well as Mr George and Mr Gahir. There will be two showings on the day – one from 3pm to 5pm and another from 6pm until 9pm.
Daily Focus readers are welcome to attend the free premier but places are limited. To confirm attendance email to [email protected], including which showing time you would like to attend.
