Clark is in surgery today (now) to replace the skin flap that was put in last November. The skin had shrunk (is that a word?) thereby revealing the plate and screws. Post rad complication. Radiation: the gift that keeps on giving.

The PS is using a flap from his torso below his arm. It will be big and bulky. We now know that this WILL NOT be the last of surgeries. Debulking will come later. He will be in the hospital for 6 days. There is a possibility that this procedure will correct the stabbing pain when he eats. That would be wonderful.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. The waiting is so hard.

Thinking about you and Clark, I'm pulling for you guys and hoping that this resolves at least a few of the issues Clark has had to endure.

Best wishes,

Eric

Sending prayers to you and Clark.

Hi Anita. I will be keeping both you and Clark in my prayers. You have both been through so much. I hope this finally takes care of the issues he has been having and relieves the pain. Waiting is always the hardest part. Let me know when you want to get together for that drink. I know you will be busy for a while. I'm also glad to hear that you had such a good weekend. It was good to let your family know what to expect before you got there.

John has had a full beard for most of his adult life. We had dinner yesterday at his mom's house and we weren't in the door 1 minute when his sister says "what happened to your beard? you looked so much better with it". It's not like we haven't seen her in the last year. I reminded her that he can't grow one because of the radiation and that I think he looks much more handsome without one. Family!!!

My heart goes out to you! This is so hard! You and Clark are in my thoughts and prayers for the best possible outcome!
Pat C

Positive results and positive news, Anita and Clark. And wishing Clark a speedy recovery from this latest (and hopefully, LAST for a long long time!) surgery!

Hope all goes well with the new flap and follow up debulking (I had a few myself). Best of luck for quick healing from this and the future procedures.

Anita,

Thanks for the update. I was hoping to check yesterday, but never made it to this forum.

Sounds good and I'm sure the next surgery will be less troublesome.

I hope things go smoothly from now and that clark's pain goes away soon. He is lucky to have you as his caregiver.

Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers. Clark is doing very well. His flap looks good and he is so happy with the results. There is swelling but that will resolve in time. Clark is so enthusiastic that he said he feels like a new man, very positive. He is even talking about lining up some vacations. So far, he does NOT have that stabbing pain. The room he is in has a nice view of the trees and Penn's campus. The unit has an outside terrace where he can go to get some sun and fresh air. The nurses are wonderful, too. He is supposed to come home by Saturday.

The PS took the flap from his torso, from below the scapula down to his side under his arm. Big incision! He also took some muscle. It is incredible what can be done! All of that is now on the right side of his face (jaw and cheek) and fills in the concavity he had before this surgery.

I am so happy!!!!!

It is amazing what can be done. I'm thrilled to hear that he is doing so well.

Anita,
It is great to hear that it all went well. Also nice to hear that Clark is being well looked after in nice surroundings and getting good care. All the best with the healing.

Hi Anita. This is wonderful news! I'm so glad everything went so well and Clark is feeling better. Continued prayers and good days ahead. Hugs, Wanda

I can actually feel the happiness coming through your post. It brings so much hope and joy ( at least for me) A renewed sense of determination in the face of discouragement and fear and all the "stuff" that goes along with this disease. I am so very happy for both of you!

Pat

Anita, thats excellent news!!!! Your post made my day Im so glad to hear he will be able to come home so soon. Its amazing how the doctors can take someone apart and put them back together. Im all pieced together myself. Im sure Clark is estatic about the way his new flap looks. Congrats

Clark came home yesterday!!! He is recovering so much faster than from the November surgery. He is very happy with his face. There is still some swelling but the level of pain and discomfort is so minimal. His attitude is positive in a way that I have not seen in a long time. Thank you everyone, for your kind words and encouragement. We are so lucky to have this forum and the friendships that have come from it.

Anita

Clark had his sutures and one of two JP drains removed yesterday. He has mild discomfort but otherwise things are great. The one thing that has not resolved is the pain he gets when he eats. But it is early in his recovery. We are hoping that this will disappear over the next few months. In the meantime, he said he will deal with it. I am so proud of him! What a trooper!

Way to go Clark!!!!!!

Anita, thank you so much for posting updates. I truly appreciate reading about Clark's milestones. It gives me hope that in the future I will be able to have reconstuctive surgery. Im very happy for both of you that Clark's surgery was so successful

Anita

Terrific to hear that Clark is doing so well.

I rarely have jaw pain these days (touch wood it stays that way!!) I used to have terrible sharp shooting pains on the left side of my jaw and face nearly everytime I opened my mouth to eat or drink anything. It would bring tears to my eyes it was that severe.

For me, time has helped and made a huge difference.

Karen

Karen,

You describe the exact pain that Clark has. It is encouraging that it has resolved. That gives him something to look forward to knowing that there could be an end to this discomfort. But even if it doesn't, he is so happy with the results of the surgery that he is willing to work around it.

Christine,

Anything is possible. I hope that you will be able to have the reconstruction surgery you want. How are things with the opening? You mentioned collagen filler as part of your treatment in another thread. Is that helping to heal that area? Hang in there.

We went back to the Plastic Surgeon on Thursday for a f/u. He took out Clark's last JP drain. He wants to see my husband in one month.

The stabbing pain is still there when Clark eats. If it hasn't resolved by the next appointment, we may go see a pain specialist. Sound like there IS something that can be done. That certainly will make eating easier for Clark. Right now, the first few bites are tortuous.

After our visit, we went for a long drive and ended up at a diner where we had a late lunch. I give Clark lots of credit for trying different foods. As you all know, that is not easy.

Monday we go back to Plastics to meet with someone who will show us products Clark can use to blend the new flap (white as a baby's butt) to his face color. Good thing--we are going to our niece's wedding the following weekend.

Gotta run--Clark wants to go out again today! Yay, I love his new energy!!!

Anita

Anita, you two are so full of positive energy, that it won't be long before the pain is distant memory! So glad you are both so pleased with Clark's progress! : )

Today, we went back to the Plastic Surgery department and met with an Esthetician. She can match Clark's skin with a permanent tattoo. She showed us before and after photos of a man who had a graft that is similar in size to the one Clark has. WOW! The results were nothing short of amazing! It will take 3 visits over 6 weeks to complete and unfortunately NOT covered by insurance. But the prospect of making this graft less noticeable is so enticing.

Great Anita!!! Sending good thoughts your way!! Clark is soo lucky to have you in his corner, you are amazing!!!

That sounds amazing. I don't remember anyone discussing having tatooing done.

Good luck with it. I hope to get to meet Clark in September.

Wow! That sounds terrific! Please save that guy's name for me!

Pat