| Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Jeff, I don't think anyone gets dressings on the incision for a ND. Just warn anyone who is going to visit that you will look like you have been run halfway through a guillotine but it is really not as bad as it looks. I asked for stitches rather than staples. Make certain that the surgeon is a good plastics man and has done a zillion of these. Will be thinking of you on the 31st.
Take care, Eileen
---------------------- Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 83 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 83 | Out of curiosity.... Any or y'all ride motorcycles???
I am an avid Goldwing rider and also ride a Sport touring motorcycle year round. I'm worried about my ability to "head check" (turn my head with the helmet on) traffic and actually if I'll be able to wear a full face helmet.
Stage 4b BOT and node on right of throat. did 38 trips of TOMO PEG tube,Cysplatin,Taxotere & 5fu 1st 4th and 7th week, changed to Erbitux for the last 4 weeks. 1st PETS since end of TX..CLEAR 6mos out and 2 nodes are hot. Bilateral neck dissection on 10/31/08. Clear Scan 3/31/09 & 8/02/2010
| | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 580 | GaryG I am a fellow motorcycle enthusiast and although I have not had the same experiences as you I belive that if you work at it you will be able to do the double and triple shoulder check. We are all invisible on the road as you know and probably exercise more caution when riding than most car drivers and that is because we have to. Stick to the less travelled roads when you decide to go for a ride the first couple of times and if all goes well then venture onto the busier streets etc. I had to go to an automatic transmission due to my physical limitations but still enjoy the ride. Cheers, Mike
Dentist since 1995, 12 year Cancer Survivor, Father, Husband, Thankful to so many who supported me on my journey so far, and more than happy to comfort a friend. Live, Laugh, Love & Learn.
| | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | I wear a full face helmet. A broken mandible after radiation isn't likely to heal well, and it could be lost entirely. The drawback is with acute xerostomia that drinking water is a must so I have a bladder in my jacket with a bite tube hanging out the front. It took a little looking to find a full face mask that I could flip up the visor in, and pass the tube through to get a sip of water. I ended up with one made in Germany. The other benefit is that it also has the ability to flip the entire face portion up. Also about 2 years of from the ND my range of motion improved through exercise etc., but never returned completely to normal.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 83 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 83 | [quote=Brian Hill]I wear a full face helmet. A broken mandible after radiation isn't likely to heal well, and it could be lost entirely. The drawback is with acute xerostomia that drinking water is a must so I have a bladder in my jacket with a bite tube hanging out the front. It took a little looking to find a full face mask that I could flip up the visor in, and pass the tube through to get a sip of water. I ended up with one made in Germany. The other benefit is that it also has the ability to flip the entire face portion up. Also about 2 years of from the ND my range of motion improved through exercise etc., but never returned completely to normal. [/quote] I wear a Nolan N-102 Flip front and wear a Camel-bak hydration system if I'm going any distance...glad to hear y'all are still up on two.
Stage 4b BOT and node on right of throat. did 38 trips of TOMO PEG tube,Cysplatin,Taxotere & 5fu 1st 4th and 7th week, changed to Erbitux for the last 4 weeks. 1st PETS since end of TX..CLEAR 6mos out and 2 nodes are hot. Bilateral neck dissection on 10/31/08. Clear Scan 3/31/09 & 8/02/2010
| | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 83 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 83 | Well Halloween came and went and it looks like I'll get to wear this outfit for a few more days It took two surgeons and staff about 5 hours to open me up, clean out the two problem areas and then put me back together. They were able to leave the muscles and all but one small branch of my jugler, and according to them I am doing very very well....no swelling to speak of both drains already removed...yeah! We go back on Thursday to begin the staple removal and then maybe back to work on Monday...but...I'm not going to push it too hard.
Stage 4b BOT and node on right of throat. did 38 trips of TOMO PEG tube,Cysplatin,Taxotere & 5fu 1st 4th and 7th week, changed to Erbitux for the last 4 weeks. 1st PETS since end of TX..CLEAR 6mos out and 2 nodes are hot. Bilateral neck dissection on 10/31/08. Clear Scan 3/31/09 & 8/02/2010
| | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 309 | here is wishing you a fast and full recovery. don't push it on going back to work until you feel strong enough my dear... good to get back to life as much and soon as possible, but if we push too hard too fast it tends to backfire. congrats on the great progress to date!
Rita - Age 44 wife, mother of 4 - ages 3,16,21,24 & grandma to 1 (R upper) Maxillectomy 8/8/08 - UW / Seattle, WA.
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"Those who think by the inch and speak by the yard, should be kicked by the foot."
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