Hello Again Everyone

Here I am I made it through the surgery 4.5 hours long. Doctors took out 30+ nodes which have been sent for testing, I am having quite alot of pain for the first few days but now it

Raymond, I looked just like you if not worse, and 18 mos. out from surgery, am wearing low cut summer clothing and I don't think anyone notices the faint scars left. I sure don't think about them, so if you are at all worried about your future appearance, please know it will get MUCH better. Your picture sure took me back, though. And made me realize just how far I have come. Thanks for posting it. You can look for daily improvement, just a little bit at a time some days, more on others. You are heading for good times now!

Raymond,

Sounds as if you are doing really well, congrats and keep up the good healing!!!!

Dinah

Very Good News today!!!!!
Just came back from the surgeon

Congrats on your great news Raymond! and your picture is absolutely darling. :p Like Joanna said, the scar fades fast. Mine is getting lighter by the week. Thank you for sharing with us.

Sincerely,
Lisa

Hello again
I have a few questions for anyone who can help I

Hi Raymond,

I would go back to your surgeon and let him know about your exposed jawbone. As to the pain meds, I would ask for something strong enough to relieve the pain you have. Take Care, Daniel

Hi Ray.....First off, let me say how happy I am for you that there is no sign of cancer after the surgery you had! I tell you - hearing news like that is better than hitting the lotto. It's "priceless". My husband had the modified radical neck dissection done on 2/6/03 - and although the swelling has gone down - he is having the same problem you are experiencing with the "tight/hard as a board" syndrome in the neck. It's been like this now for awhile. He says it feels like someone put a "belt around the neck and started tightening it". He has been to his oral surgeon, radiation oncologist and even a dermatologist - and no one has mentioned anything that could help that. I was wondering - has your doctors advised you on getting any kind of therapy/exercises for your shoulder and neck region? I keep thinking there has got to be more one can do to help the healing process go faster - but perhaps it just takes more time. Eating is still difficult for my husband in many respects - although he has come a long way since when his radiation ended in November 2002. Food gets caught in his throat and he coughs it back up and has to re-swallow. I hope I'm not grossing anyone out too much - but that's his experience the way it is so far. The doctor did STRONGLY advise him to keep eating solids and chewing - that is supposed to help the throat area. As far as answering if this will all get better or be permanent - we are still waiting for the answer to that one ourselves! I hope in a years time (from his surgery date) - his neck and throat will be more supple and feel less constricting. But I guess only time will tell. If you hear anything more from your doctors on this condition or have any more news at all - please keep us informed. Take care and hope you are feeling much better real soon.

DonnaJean,

I'm sure we are all pretty hard to "gross out" at this point!

Glenn

Well as you can see up very late again tonight cant sleep, to much pain. I'll be calling my surgeon in the morning, got to get in to see him cant wait until Oct for therapy the sooner the better will let every know after my appointment
God Bless
Ray

hi Raymond,

did you get the pain meds?
hopefully yes and you are asleep now.

docs always told me, problems sleeping are a sign to request pain meds...

i feel for you,
get meds,
get the sleep.

best wishes,
larryb

Thanks Everyone
I will be seeing my surgeon on Thursday morning Sept.18 with a lot of questions to ask
God bless
Ray

Hello again
Well I saw the surgeon a few weeks ago and he said everything looks good, gave me meds to help reduce some swelling. My scar is still healing and looks pretty good. As for my exposed bone in my mouth I went to see the dental specialist and she removed a little piece of dead jaw bone and now it seems to be healing. I started physio for some stretching and strengthening in my neck it is very stiff, hard (like a board). I was wondering if any members had this as well after a neck dissection and how long this will last?
Also I can't lift my left arm over my shoulder, does everyone get this and will the shoulder ever get back to normal?
Doctor keeps saying to wait and see and keep exercising it. And still no feeling in my neck and jaw, how much of this will return?
Well that

Hi Raymond,

all the things you have asked about are normal. The effects of what you have been through will change some and perhaps not change back to the way it used to be. You can help yourself by doing some light stretching and being patient. I have regained enough that most people would not know by watching me work or play. I can bowl, golf, shovel snow (I hate it) and move my arm mostly as I did before surgery. I still have some numb areas but much less than right after surgery. The stiff and "hard" neck has become flexible enough that I do not notice any problems in turning my head, but it will never be like it was. I found that stress caused the muscles in my neck to tighten up and cause pains to come and go. Aches and pains are common and the healing goes on for much longer that months. I still notice subtle changes 2.5 years out. Relax some and let things heal. Don't let these things slow you down, just keep going. You can expect to regain most of your arm strength and mobility but you will have to work at it. Try to walk your fingers up a wall untill you have your arm as high as it goes. Then try to keep going higher. I found this stretching to be very helpful.

take care

Hi Raymond-

I am a 1 year out from treatment and always woke up with a stiff/sore neck until I purchased a foam contoured pillow (about $50 at Costco). I sleep through the night now (with the help of 2 salagen tablets for dry mouth!) and have no pain in the morning. I still have numbness on the surgery side from the top of ear to shoulder and tingling in the fingers but neck is not as tight . Massage the tissue and exercise your neck. Go to physical therapy, they can show you some great exercises!

Hello again to everyone and thank you for all the replies.
I have one question to ask.
I have a "winged scapula" and muscle degeneration of my trapezes muscle. I am starting to get allot of pain in the area of my shoulder and it is very week. The surgeon said he did not sever the nerve and this will take time, maby years to recover.
Do any members have any experience with this condition, any info can help.
Also any suggestions for a good exercise for this condition.
Thanks
Ray

Sounds like what I had, although my pain was in the spinal cord between my shoulder blades. My scapula was pulled way out to the right (right neck dissection with no muscles cut) and I couldn't lift my arm over my head. I spent 9 months in physical therapy getting put back together, although I think if I had gone to the second guy originally, this time would have been more like 4 months.

I suggest you find a good physical therapist. Three of the moves mine used on me that really helped get the shoulder back where it belonged are called 'Trager Technique'. They were 'Glenohumeral Rotation', 'Shoulder Rotational Oscillation' and 'Shoulder Girdle Oscillation'. Once I was strong enough, he then had me on the pulley equipment at the clinic and using a theraband at home. While my arm still won't go up as high as the other one, it is about 98% there. When I had my second neck dissection 4 years later on the left side, I went to PT immediately and had absolutely no loss of range of motion or weaking. PT should be covered by your insurance and is worth evry penny. Get your Dr to recommend a good therapist.

Take care,
Eileen

Hello Everyone
Sorry I have not posted in awhile
I just wanted to let everyone here know you are all still in my prayers.
This site has helped me to get through it all.
And I will never forget all of you that have helped me.
I am now 1 year post treatment and 6 months post neck disection and feeling great. I see the doctors every 2 months and all is well..
Thanks God!
I am back to work and getting back to a normal life again.
I feel confident enough to update my signature from oral cancer fighter to ...
Oral cancer survivor
I know we can all do this one day
Love you all as always
God Bless
Ray

Congratulations on your recovery. My husband has completed his rad/chemo therapy and now waiting to hear a date for his neck disection. His recent biopsy on his tongue (origianl tumor site) was negative so we are prepared for more good news. Your story is gives us tremendous encouragement and hope. Good going!

Congradulations Ray!!!!!

Nice to hear good news. Sounds like you have the correct attitude!!! I plan on being around awhile myself. Only three months post rad and going on 7 months post surgery. Are you having scans every so often and if so what type of scans.
Thanks for sharing, Dan

Daniel Bogan
Good to hear from you
My surgery was End of Aug. And since my operation I have not had any scans..30 nodes were removed with no evedence of cancer cells. Im going to see my surgeon Feb 12 maby then he will book a scan.

sundance
Compared to the radiation and chemo, the surgery is a snap:)
keep a positive attitude.I was back to a full time job 8 weeks after surgery. It only gets better from now on..Good Luck and God Bless
Ray