Hi my name is Ieti Tiatia.
Let me tell you little about myself. I’m a 51yo Samoan. Originally from Wellington now residing in Auckland. So I’ve been asked to share my story to you all. So here we go.
Back in 2019 after a couple of biopsies. I was called into Middlemore Hospital for my diagnosis. I got the news No one ever wants to hear “You have cancer” . I was diagnosed in front of my daughter with Squamous cell carcinoma. Shed a tear then had to be strong for my daughter. All these emotions racing through my head. Angry that I was a heavy chain smoker and that I got Cancer. Scared and frightened to lose my family. I knew then that this wasn’t going to be an easy journey and a long road to recovery. Everything happened so fast. From getting diagnosed to getting CT and MRI scans to the operating table.
On August 5th 2019 went through an 11 hour op to cut the tumor out from behind my cheekbone. Surgeons inserted a metal plate to hold my eyeball in place. They also took a bone from my right leg to replace bone from my cheek. They also took skin from my right leg for a skin graft. Knocked out most of my top teeth. Gave me a trach to help me breathe. I spent a month in the hospital recovering. All in all, the op was a success. Surgeons told me that I would never look the same way again. After recovery came fitting the mask for radiotherapy. Not the most pleasant experience. As it makes you feel claustrophobic, but as long as you remain calm, you will get through it.
Then in Oct 2019 went through 30 doses of Radiotherapy. Just as in fitting the mask, as long as you remain calm you will get through it. During your Radiotherapy treatments. Some side effects that u may experience is loss of smell and taste. Also may get ulcers where you’re getting treated. Loss of vision due to cataract. There are others but those are what I experienced. Eventually taste and smell come back in time. I have been in and out of hospital every year since 2019. Having infections and many other small operations. It’s now 2025 and I’m awaiting another 12-14 hour operation to repair damage to my eye. I am grateful for all the staff that took care of me and continue to do so. They are so professional in what they do. Also grateful for the head and neck cancer support group that helped me along the way. So I hope my journey helps you out, in any way. I wish you all the best with your journey.
Thank you