Forehead reconstruction after dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

3 years later

I was initially diagnosed with dfsp - dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, in 1995. Again in '96,'98 and lastly in 2008 when my entire forehead was removed, down to 15% thickness of skull bone, covered with integra and a skin graft from my scalp.

In 2015 I was referred to Mr Townley for a reconstruction. He used a free flap (Lat dorsi muscle from my back) and attached it to my forehead, with a skin graft from my scalp to reconstruct the area. ?t was a long procedure (8+ hours) followed by 5 days in hospital , two drains and a Doppler every few hours to check on the blood flow to the transplanted muscle.

Mr Townley was called at 4am on day 3 because the nurses had concerns about the doppler and blood flow to my new forehead. He was staying out of town but made it to the hospital in about an hour and a half to check on me.
One could say 'well that's his job'. Yes. It is. But to be woken that early, get straight to the hospital by half 5 in the morning AND still be nice, patient and informative to me, well he doesn't get paid for THAT!
Mr Townley was aware that I lost a very close friend two days before my surgery.
I was a lot more 'worried' about things potentially going wrong in light of her loss.(NOTHING to do with Mr Townley!!) I needed chapter and verse on what he intended to do and his patience and tolerance for my questions never waivered. Neither did the compassion he showed towards my situation.

Following on from the reconstruction in August 2015, I went under the knife again in January 2017 to correct an 'issue' with the reconstruction. The problem that had arisen was NOT Mr Townley's fault. ?t was my own bodies' 'healing' that caused an unforseen, rare situation with the free flap.
With a temporary solution to stop the muscle spasm (botox), Bill came up with a solution to the problem. I say 'he came up with' because it was a new procedure and we now just have to 'hope' that it achieved the result we needed.
So far so good! My forehead is staying where it should and I couldn't be happier.

First diagnosed with dfsp in 1995, I've had 5 different surgeons before Mr Townley. They were/are all highly skilled surgeons. Of that, there is no question. But having been a 'medical marvel' over the years due to the rareness of my condition, having been stared at, poked and prodded at, discussed between doctors as if I'm not even sitting there, meeting Mr Townley was like a breath of fresh air!

You may tell from the length of this review that I can talk. A lot!!! And Bill has never rushed me or been impatient with me. He listens to me. He doesn't laugh at my sometimes ridiculous questions! He does his best to accommodate me and fit me in to clinics of my choice. He regularly contacts me for an update and to see if I'm ok. I can email him or send quick video updates on whatsapp, ask any more questions and simply, having the added reassurance that I can reach him at any time (within reason!) is outside the remit of his 'job'. He genuinely cares about his patients.

There is rarely an issue around a surgeons qualifications or experience. But I want to know if you're going to be tolerant. If you'll patiently answer all my questions. If you'll respond to me quickly when I contact you with a concern or an update. If you'll explain everything to me in a 'non medical' way that I can understand, without patronising me. If you'll pass me a box of tissues when I cry. If you have a sense of humour and we can laugh about things.

Mr Townley has been all of the above. I cannot recommend him highly enough. For both his surgical expertise, which of course is incredible. But also for his overall demeanour. I feel very very safe under his care.