Karen - she has four cats. That's why I said what is did...

Thank you for the recommendation ChristineB. She will be getting a trach. We had a pre-op on last Friday with the ENT, a pre-op with the plastic surgeon yesterday, and her surgery is on the 12th. It's supposed to be 10-12 hours.

My mom has 4 cats at the moment. I have no idea how I'm going to manage all this... I was looking to find friends/family to foster the cats with temporarily but everyone I know is allergic. Go figure.

We just bought her a tablet that she is learning to use as well. Her sister is coming in on Friday to calm her down and to stay with her for 5 days while she's in the hospital.

Can you board the cats? If not - It's not a major issue. I have a dog, and it was actually helpful that during treatment I had to walk him. It got me out of the house! That said. I just remember a friend who had peritoneal cancer - she had one cat, and a husband luckily. They told her not to touch the litter box period, or handle the food. I think if she wants to keep them as long as someone does those two things for her, and she washes her hands after petting them, she should be okay. With chemo, cancer and facing possible radiation her immune system is severely compromised. This is why the precaution. I would ask the medical oncologist and surgeon what they think.

Take care and best of luck on the surgery! fingers crossed everything goes well.

I had a cat while I was going thru my mandibulectomy recovery and it was ok. I had no one else to take care of this so I had to do it myself. Anyone who has a compromised immune system or is pregnant should avoid cleaning cat litter boxes of possible. She should get some disposable rubber gloves to wear when cleaning the litter boxes and wash hands immediately after she is finished. The gloves can be purchased at any pharmacy or home improvement store (paint section).

She may not be up to using the tablet. There is a good chance that she will not remember very recent things, like what you are teaching her. I had alot of memory issues stemming from my mandibulectomy or it could be from being kept in a medically induced coma for 3 weeks. I 'forgot' about a 4 month window which included a few weeks prior to the surgery and most of the hospital stay plus the first couple weeks I was home.

No matter how much you prepare for this, there will be things that are missed. Its just not possible to get ready for what you arent sure about. She could be very fortunate and sail right thru the whole thing. I do know several people who have had this done and they speak fine, look almost perfect, and have gone on to have good lives. Some patients will bounce back within a couple months. I hope this is the case with your mother!