All the very best with tomorrows surgery Michele.
Will be thinking of you like many others here and looking for your first post here or on FB.
Gabriele

Thanks everyone. I am up early, going to take my last dose of hydroco before leaving for the hospital. Hopefully I won't notice as I go off that stuff~ I will be under the influence of OTHER stuff. LOL Taking way more than I should have had to because of the pain in my face and ear. I am here, in my BIL's apartment with hubby, son and 2 brother in laws...the snoring that is going on...is fairly quiet. LOL


Not scared really just worried about how things will heal and what might go wrong. Mostly just want to be done. ;o)

Michele in IL

Michele, we are with you and willing everything to go as planned for the very best outcome. Let us know when you can (or have your son let us know) how you are doing. Keep that Netbook close by and we will be close by, too! Big hugs going your way!

Well, surgery didn't go as planned. The tumor was larger and further spread than they had thought. They removed some of the jaw in the space behind my teeth and 2 teeth I think. They then sewed my tongue and some breast material they brought up and through my neck inside and hooked some of my tongue to that. THEN they wired the mouth shut. :o( They also took some of the nodes out of the right side as well. So I have stitches/staples all around my neck again and can't eat/drink. I am so thirsty!

They are talking the 3 solution chemo to help slow/stop the tumor while the surrounding area heals from surgery and radiation. After I can get to a 3 month PET scan they will know what is good and bad tissue and try to use the radiation knife I guess.After a 1 1/2 hour awake trake they may never get me close to an operating room again.

Mouth should be wired for 2-3 weeks so will have to relearn to chew, etc. after it is open and healed. Coughing from trakes and wired mouths do NOT go together! I will keep updated as I find out more. Running a slight temp, having a little trouble with the tube feeding so kind of slow out of the gate.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts, prayers and concerns.

Michele in IL

My heart goes out to you!!! (((HUGS))) Ive so sorry that this is happening to you. I hope you are being kept pain free thru all this. Thank you so much for posting, Ive been very worried. I made a post showing what your son posted. He reminds me of my son, same age too. He did good! Be well, Michele. I will keep you in my prayers!

Oh my goodness, Michele! - Sounds like they did bunches of stuff to you! I've been SO thinking about you and really appreciate your getting back to us. You son did great with letting us know on FB and Christine kept us updated too on OCF. Lots of prayers and hugs going your way.

Michele: I'm a brand new member, but wanted to wish you the best. Hopefully they are giving you good pain meds. I had the most trouble with that. My surgery was on 1/3/11 and I still feel like I was run over by a MACK truck. Hope every day gives you some improvement and healing.
I noticed you are in IL also.... whereabouts ? I am in suburban Chicago.

Ingrid K.

I am between Peoria and the Quad Cities but getting medical treatment and the cancer center at Iowa City, Iowa.

I have one drain left, should get staples and stitches out at 14 days, and probably go home on tube feedings and maybe a trach. Maybe the the end of next week. Much longer than the last 4 day stay. :o(

Not much pain but the neck dissections are numb, mouth is numb, muscles under breast area where they moved muscle is tender.

Michele in IL

Michele, I hope the docs are keeping your pain levels under control. Dont be in pain, it will not help you to heal at all. I remember how sore I was, it was not a fun time.

If you go home with the tube and the trach, make sure if they dont ask you that you speak up and ask for a visiting nurse. You need to be taken care of. The nurse will come out and do your vitals, change bandages and make sure you stay infection free. They can even help you with the tube feedings to make sure you are doing ok with it.

Make sure when you go home that the doc gives you liquid meds. Ask him! Its a good idea to ask the doc a day or 2 in advance of your release so your hubby can fill the prescriptions before you go home. Not all pharmacies carry things in liquid, sometimes I end up going to a different pharmacy because I must have things in liquid.

(((HUGS))) and prayer to you!!!!

Michelle,
So sorry that you have to go through all of this. This disease is so unfair and throws so many curve balls! Hope that you mend quickly and that you can then get rid of the rest of the cancer without further surgical intervention.

Best Wishes
Sue G