A 93-YEAR-old grandmother has thanked the doctors who treated her cancer and who have given her the chance to see her grandchildren grow.

The woman has not been named by the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, who have tweeted a picture of her letter.

The letter sent to Worcestershire Royal Hospital said: “I am writing to you to tell you that the head and neck department at Worcester hospital and especially Samuel Mattine, consultant head and neck surgeon, have made it possible for me to be here today.

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“Just after Christmas 2018 I was diagnosed with cancer in my mouth.

"Despite my age, then 91, Mr Mattine agreed to carry out surgery to remove the cancer and repair my mouth in an operation for which the anaesthetists had given a strict time limitation due to my age.

“The operation was a success and the cancer was removed. I recovered well and after a time I was able to talk, eat and drink again.

"After 18 months free of cancer I unfortunately developed a lump in my neck, which turned out to be cancerous.

“Again Mr Mattine offered me surgery, which I accepted.

“I was fully informed of the risks of surgery at my age, 93, but knew that I wanted to be given the chance to live again.

"I have five great grandchildren and I was determined to be around as long as possible to see them grow. The operation was carried out in September, 10 days after my husband had major abdominal surgery for a bad hernia.

“We both recovered over the autumn and have progressed well.

“We have carers who help us to remain living at home together, but unfortunately my husband fell and broke his femur at the end of November. I have been helping to care for him since he returned from hospital 10 days ago, and after 66 years together I am so thankful that I am still here to help him.

“The purpose of writing to you is to tell you that it really is worth allowing people of my age to be given the chance to live, even when cancer is diagnosed.

"I know people are refused surgery at my age in some hospitals. Thank you for remembering that older people are still people, with lives and families to enjoy.”

Naomi Clatworthy, an acute oncology nurse consultant, tweeted: "What a lovely letter."

A spokesperson for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Our dedicated staff work day in, day out to provide the best possible care to patients no matter their age, so we’re delighted to hear this patient was so pleased with the care and treatment they received at our hospital.”