| | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 4 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 4 | Hi all
I'm from the uk and have recently undergone a partial glossectomy of the left side of my tongue for a carcinoma in situ. I am now 3 weeks post op. I have had no nodes removed of reconstruction, and my speech isn't too bad. I can also now eat pretty much anything. I am still feeling completly exhausted however (which i wasnt expecting) Sometimes my legs and arms ache terribly and im forced to take pain killers to get through the day. Im due back at work next week but im beginning to wonder if im going to be able to return just now. I was wondering if any other members here had the same feeling of fatigue 3 weeks post op?
Thanks
July 2011- Biopsy of white patch on right side of tongue positive for cancer.
CT shows no spread
August 2011 - Partial glossectomy of right tongue. No Rad, no Chemo.
August 2011 - Pathology shows clear margins, mild to severe dysplasia in removed tissue.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Hey - welcome! As someone whose walked your path I know it can be hard - I personally didn't have a lot of pain and fatigue post op - I mean not in the way you describe it. But it makes sense that you would be tired as your body is still trying to heal. The arm and leg issues is something else - I has stiffness and weakness but that was directly related to the neck dissection. I would ask your dr. About iit, though. It could perhaps be the residual effects of the anesthesia some times it takes a long while to clear your liver or kidneys depending on how effective they are. Glad you are cancer free but please keep a close eye on your neck for any suspicious lumps. Sometimes satellite cells sit dormant in the nodes and flare up post op. Mind you that all depends on the size and aggressiveness of the original tumor. Surgery and cancer affect everyone differently. Good luck... Heal well and try to make sure you're eating enough protein, and iron, and drinking enough fluids - diet really helps he healing process. Someone I'm sure will be along soon that may have experienced something similar.
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,301 | Hi and welcome. (love the nickname..are you an Andy?)
I would have thought 3 weeks was little too soon to return to work especially if it is a physical job.
If you were born in 1979 you are still a young 32 or so which no doubt makes for quicker healing?
Do you have family support? What did your doctors recommend and did you get a certificate for time off work?
Aside from the physical healing there is also the physiological to think about.
Sorry for the questions but I guess a few more relevant details will help our very experienced family here give a response to your question.
Gabriele
History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.
1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family
| | | | | Joined: May 2011 Posts: 287 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: May 2011 Posts: 287 | While every individual is different but I would suggest seeing a general practitioner. Are the symptoms similar to those of the flu or other common viral infections accompanied by muscle aches, headache, and extreme fatigue? Your immune system may still be weak post surgery and it may be a simple viral infection.
Take care and see if you can take little break of another week or two from work.
Father; 67 yrs; RIP: 2012/05/26
TX:SCC pT2N1M0G2;Glossectomy+SND+CCRT(59.3Gy+6xCis.)[2009]
TX:Nodal Mets; 3xDCF[2011/05/05]
TX: RND + PMMC Flap[2011/07/11]
DX:SCC PNI+ECE
TX:Re-RT 60Gy[2011/09/21]
TX:Gefitinib 250mg[2011/12/18]
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | Andy,
More than likely the fatigue is being caused by a combination of things. The most prominent causes of it are probably the pain and the pain killers.
Pain puts your body in distress and also will cause fatigue both physically and mentally. Opiate pain killers also cause fatigue, they depress the central nervous system, slowing the cardiovascular system making physical activity more difficult by lowering blood pressure and the amount of oxygen delivered to your system.
You've also just been through surgery so your body is in a hypermetabolic state (healing) so your body is burning through calories at the moment, add in the psychological trama (realized or not) and you have a recipe for fatigue brotha. Give yourself some time Superman you've been exposed to kryptonite.
Keep your chin up
Eric
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 48 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 48 | i conur with erics. take it slow you will be better off. I want my situation over now. but thanks to the web site i'm starting to realize i'm in the fight of my lifeand it's going to take alot of time and i'm not a patient person so take one from some one who knows be the tortise not the hare.
dx mucoideperdermoid stage 1 .9cm tumor removed from
lower left tongue 5-3-11 rad 5-31-11 till 8-10-11 three weeks off in june 9 days in hospital healing mouth from radiation burns. 33 days of radiation.wife is caregiver
peg tube july 7-11 age 59 male.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 4 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 4 | Hi all,
I guess I must be experiencing fatigue from the surgery. Its quite frustrating as i'm usually very active. I only take ibuprofen for the pain so I don't think that it is a drug issue. I haven't been sleeping to well for a while either (due to a young baby) so that must be adding to it all! My tongue is still quite sore from the op - more so than when i first had it done. Is this normal? It looks much better in the mirror and appears to be healing well so I thought that it could be the nerves re growing. I have a follow up appointment in 3 weeks with my surgeon so i will bring it up then if it is still persisting.
Thank you all for the replies and the advice.
July 2011- Biopsy of white patch on right side of tongue positive for cancer.
CT shows no spread
August 2011 - Partial glossectomy of right tongue. No Rad, no Chemo.
August 2011 - Pathology shows clear margins, mild to severe dysplasia in removed tissue.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 4 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 4 | Hi all,
Just thought i would check in with you all, although I have been around reading what people are up to.
I am now back to work full time. My speech and eating are back to normal and my fatigue has now passed so i'm pleased about that. My tongue has healed completely there is just a small scar along the side which is hardly noticeable. Only slight concern i have is a pain in my left side of my neck (opposite side to where the tumour was) I have no lumps however and will be keeping a close eye on things. I am hoping it is a muscle pain. I have my second check up this tuesday so if it is bothering me still i will mention it then.
Hope everyone here is staying positive and doing well.
Andy
July 2011- Biopsy of white patch on right side of tongue positive for cancer.
CT shows no spread
August 2011 - Partial glossectomy of right tongue. No Rad, no Chemo.
August 2011 - Pathology shows clear margins, mild to severe dysplasia in removed tissue.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,671 | How great to hear you are doing so well, Andy! Thanks for updating. Hope everything goes just fine on Tuesday.
Anne-Marie
CG to son, Paul (age 33, non-smoker) SCC Stage 2, Surgery 9/21/06, 1/6 tongue Rt.side removed, +48 lymph nodes neck. IMRTx28 completed 12/19/06. CT scan 7/8/10 Cancer-free! ("spot" on lung from scar tissue related to Pneumonia.)
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | Me too hopefully you will sail through!!!  definately mention the pain to your dr. Good luck! And hugs!
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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