| | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 | My surgery is scheduled for Thursday, 5/13. I just learned that I will be in a drug induced coma for a few days afterward to aid the healing process. I understand the reasoning but can't help wonder where "I" will be. If I have a nightmare, I can't just wake up from it. Has anyone had any experience with this that you could share? Any suggestions..i.e., music, tv, etc? Will I remember anything? Will I hear anything? It's kinda freakin' me out!
Pat - 62 yr. old -DX 8/29/09 SCC stage III floor of mouth
Lower teeth& bone removed
Port& Peg
Cisplatin x3; Rad 35 - ended 12/21/09
Fox Chase 2nd opinion-mandibulectomy; tracheotomy; left neck dissection; jaw reconstruction 5/13/10; flap failed;new flap 7/13/10; lipo January 2011
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 701 Likes: 1 | Pat,
I think EZJim was in an induced coma. You might want to send him a PM letting him know of this thread. I hope it will be a non issue for you...asleep with no memory of any of it. All my best--
Anita
Anita (68)
CG to husband, Clark, 79,
DX SCC 11/07, T4N0Mx, PEG 1/08, RAD, post rad infection 3/08,
HBOT 40 dives, ORN, Surg 11/09 mandibulectomy w/fibular graft.
Plastic Surg 4/10, 12/10, 3/11, 10/11, 4/12, 10/12. All PETS clear,
PEG out 1/11. 6/11 non union jaw fracture
Fractured jaw w/surgery 7/14
Aspiration pneumonia 7/21, 10/22
PEG 7/21
Botox injections
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | Christine was also kept sedated for a number of days. I have heard it is like sleeping - no dreams. You will awake like Sleeping Beauty - that much further into the healing process - minus all the King and Queen drama!
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Sometimes its necessary to keep patients sedated. You wont remember a thing. No such thing as nightmares when being kept sedated. I was kept asleep for 3 weeks. It was like I last remember being wheeled into the OR and next thing I knew it was several weeks later. Kinda like time stood still for those weeks.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 | Christine, why 3 weeks? I do understand that they don't want me to move so that their handiwork has time to set in but I was of the impression it would be a few days. Anita.. why did Clark not need this? It seems my surgery will be very similar to his.
Pat - 62 yr. old -DX 8/29/09 SCC stage III floor of mouth
Lower teeth& bone removed
Port& Peg
Cisplatin x3; Rad 35 - ended 12/21/09
Fox Chase 2nd opinion-mandibulectomy; tracheotomy; left neck dissection; jaw reconstruction 5/13/10; flap failed;new flap 7/13/10; lipo January 2011
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I agree with Christine about the induced coma. When you awaken it is over and seems like yesterday. The only problems I had was I guess I did and said things I would never say or do. I remember none of it plus about a year prior to being put to sleep. My Dr would only tell me I was funny but not mean. Life gies on and you do wonder what might have happened,. I was readied to be transfered to a long care facility the day I awoke and found my Dr beside my bed. Whew that was close.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | I was radioactive is why I was out to sleep and quarantined after. It was for protectionm of others being contaminated by my body. Just slept 4 days longer than planned.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | EZ - So I guess I will ask the question everyone is dying to know the answer to....
Did you glow in the dark?
Darn, I just saw your other post where you suggested that you probably did. So I guess I will have to change my question to... What color?
Last edited by Brian Hill; 05-08-2010 07:19 PM. Reason: new question
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 716 | I would rather dream...even a nightmare, it would make me feel better. Jim--I can only imagine what you were saying 
7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | It was a blue white color and very bright. LOL I wish I could say that about my mind. Does that answer it Brain?? Ray, I sometimes would like to know that too, but noone will tell me, not even my Drs.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
When you are in a medically induced coma, you are sleeping. You arent able to talk, dream, nothing. I was kept asleep for so long due to my first surgery not taking. It was awful, Im glad I was kept asleep. The docs used leeches and the skin died and turned black. I wish my children had not witnessed this. It must have been awful for them to see their mother in this state. Im so glad that part of my life is over and Im so much better now.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Christine, you will always be my hero as you have been and I love that happy spirit you bring to the forefront when you post.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 | Hello All
This is Pat's sister Roseanne. She had her surgery on the 13th and things went well. They took the bone from her right leg, that is in a cast, and took the skin from the outside of her right thigh. The plastic surgeon has been pleased with her progress. They took her out of the coma about 12 hrs after she came out of surgery. I've already gotten into it with the head and neck surgeon about feeding. She said she will "absolutely" NOT let her have her own food and she will not back down on this. That's what she thinks! We've allowed the crap in the can because they are using the excuse of inactive bowel so they are dripping it in very slowly but I'm about at my limit with this. So if anyone has any ideas on getting the bowel to wake up after anesthesia I would appreciate the input.
Pat has not looked at her face yet and I think that's a good thing. Mostly it is very swollen, inside and out but in two days I can already see a huge difference. The skin is drying out and starting to slough off and the Dr said that is expected.
I will update as things progress.
Pat - 62 yr. old -DX 8/29/09 SCC stage III floor of mouth
Lower teeth& bone removed
Port& Peg
Cisplatin x3; Rad 35 - ended 12/21/09
Fox Chase 2nd opinion-mandibulectomy; tracheotomy; left neck dissection; jaw reconstruction 5/13/10; flap failed;new flap 7/13/10; lipo January 2011
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 | This is a test, I keep writing a post but it doesn't go.
Roseanne
Pat - 62 yr. old -DX 8/29/09 SCC stage III floor of mouth
Lower teeth& bone removed
Port& Peg
Cisplatin x3; Rad 35 - ended 12/21/09
Fox Chase 2nd opinion-mandibulectomy; tracheotomy; left neck dissection; jaw reconstruction 5/13/10; flap failed;new flap 7/13/10; lipo January 2011
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 63 | Sorry I guess the first post was delayed.
Roseanne
Pat - 62 yr. old -DX 8/29/09 SCC stage III floor of mouth
Lower teeth& bone removed
Port& Peg
Cisplatin x3; Rad 35 - ended 12/21/09
Fox Chase 2nd opinion-mandibulectomy; tracheotomy; left neck dissection; jaw reconstruction 5/13/10; flap failed;new flap 7/13/10; lipo January 2011
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Roseanne, thank you for updating about your sisters operation. Its not an easy one at all, Ive had it done last year. Recovery can be a very long process. Please give her my best and let her know people are praying for her speedy recovery.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | |
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