Hi Erin,

healing from a neck dissection takes time. I had mine almost a year ago and I’m still healing. It took me almost 2 months of physical therapy to be able to turn my head or to look up just a little. Today, I would say I have 95% flexibility back so don’t think what you are feeling now is what will be. I didn’t have a crooked smile but the side of my mouth (the side I had the dissection) would randomly turn down and freak out my friends for months after surgery but now it doesn’t do that anymore. What I’m trying to say is that 3 weeks after a neck dissection is the equivalent of 3 days after other surgeries. It takes time, patience and a lot of physical therapy to get close to how it was before. I recommend you get in contact with a physical therapist. Mine noticed “problems” I didn’t and helped me correct them before they could bother me too much.

The same thing goes for the emotional healing. It takes time but you will heal. I had a counselor at the hospital that was amazing. She helped me take control of negative thoughts and to stop them from spiralling out of control and to put things into perspective. I know not everyone is comfortable with the idea of talking to counsellors or therapists but it’s something to consider.