TACKLING breast cancer once is enough of an ordeal for most women.
But Carol Creighton has faced cancer twice, in both breasts.
Carol believes she would not have made it through her ordeal if it had not been for her surgeon.
So, she nominated Tapan Mahapatra for the Mail's Pride Of East Yorkshire Awards, for going above and beyond with his patients.
Carol said: "I don't think I would have managed to get through it without him."
Mr Mahapatra, a surgeon at Castle Hill Hospital, was thrilled to be recognised with the Public Service Award nomination.
He said: "My main aim in my job is to give the best service I can to my patients.
"It's so much better to hear this from patients than from management."
Carol has been treated by Mr Mahapatra from day one, when she was first diagnosed with cancer in her left breast in 2008.
His bedside manner has made a real difference to Carol during her treatment.
Carol said: "He was so kind and nothing was too much for him.
"He even came into the clinic during his holidays to drain off excess fluid from the area I'd had surgery. There's not many people who would do that."
The personal touch has made all the difference to Carol since she first had surgery to remove the cancer.
Mr Mahapatra has been with her all the way, performing the mastectomy on her left breast, then the lumpectomy when she was diagnosed with cancer in her right breast in 2011.
She was originally diagnosed after going for a routine mammogram with her friend.
Carol said: "It was an extremely traumatic time in my life but, from the very beginning, he made me feel special. He constantly reassured me that everything was going to be all right."
Hull City Council sponsors the Public Service Award.
Councillor Geraghty, portfolio holder for culture, leisure, events and public wellbeing, said: "We know there are many people who go above and beyond and, in sponsoring this award, I look forward to being able to thank the winner for their outstanding contribution.
"The passion and dedication of the people nominated are truly inspirational and help make Hull the unique place it is."
Carol is now in remission and will not be visiting the hospital until her mammogram next year.
But she knows there are many other women at the hospital suffering from breast cancer who are in safe hands.
She said: "He's worth being recognised and I'm sure there's a lot of ladies out there who feel the same."
