| Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 6 | Hello all,
My grandfather got surgery on 11/01, and had most of the left floor mouth and some near the base of his tongue removed, and some of his jawbone shaved. He just came home to us the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. He's doing pretty well, but has been concerned with the swelling in his mouth. (It's a lot better now than it was even last week, but he's wishing he was 100% back to normal again!)
I've read quite a few posts on here and it seems like the swelling takes quite a while to go down, but I'd just like to ask about how long it took for anyone's swelling to go down?
Thanks to everyone for the kind welcome, and in advance for your commentary!
Cheers!
-Robin
Granddaughter to Duane, 64, survivor of esophageal cancer Diagnosed with oral cancer of floor mouth 08/10, partial surgical removal 09/10, full resection with clean margins and reconstruction 11/1/10 Now healing and waiting for info on further treatment
| | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 | Hi Robin
Swelling can take months to go down. After about 8 weeks everyone could see a huge improvement in my face. Internally my mouth started to feel a lot better by then also. Unfortunately, your grandfather still probably has several weeks to go yet because his surgery was only 4 weeks ago.
I hope your grandfather has a speedy recovery.
Karen
46 yrs: Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0 Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs 30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin, 30 x HBO Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy (hip bone to reconstruct jaw) Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw Mar'09 Debulk flap Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
| | | | Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 6 | Thank you Karen. We know it will take time (sadly!), but appreciate having some perspective.
-Robin
Granddaughter to Duane, 64, survivor of esophageal cancer Diagnosed with oral cancer of floor mouth 08/10, partial surgical removal 09/10, full resection with clean margins and reconstruction 11/1/10 Now healing and waiting for info on further treatment
| | | | 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 | It would depend on many different things as to how long to expect for swelling to subside. My surgery removed about 1/2 of the lower jawbone and went thru 2 surgeries so it took several months. I would have to guess at about 2 or 3 months depending upon how invasive his operation was. My docs told me that at the 6 month point it would show what it will look like. The swelling can go down a little more but usually the 6 month point is a good example of what will be the end result. It can take up to a year to heal from a big operation. 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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