Wow, wow, wow. First, I have to thank you individuals who came through for my dad and I at the last minute, sending little angel messages, he LOVED it and I was just thrilled and warmed by him telling me he received the messages-he said he will get back to you.

So, obviously the selective, modified neck dissection went awesome. Those of you who have had them know that this a rather standard procedure. My dad was the first case of the day and our ENT told us that they will first scope and biopsy. If anything was malignant they would NOT move forward. So, he went back and my hubby and I did the whole waiting thing. As an hour approached I began to wonder what the results were. Just when my anxiety began the phone rang and the OR RN told me that they were moving forward with the procedure. The doc anticipated that it would take 3 hours. He came out and reported that there were no surprises and everything went as expected!! I gave him a huge hug and he told me not to do that until after 5 years-what a dork! (laugh)
I was very scared about how my dad would look-they don't let family go to the PACU (post anesthesia care unit). I ran to buy 6 dozen long stem roses to fill my hero's room. He came rolling down the hall with a huge smile on his face and his alien tubes sticking out of his neck (for newbies-the stick vacuum tubes in to remove the fluid accumulation from the neck.)
He is so happy-we walked around all night-he's eating as normal and thoroughly enjoying the percocet. He has no pain right now and loves his franken-neck.
Man, what a journey. My faith tells me that anxiety is a wasted emotion. I can't believe the head games that exist. I'm sure fear will come and go with the appts for ever--all we can do is pray for peace in our hearts.

You are all wonderful--please call on us if you need ANYTHING AT ALL.

What a Happy Day! Best wishes for a quick, smooth recovery and a worry-free happily-ever-after!!

Andrea

That is great news Shawna!

Hi Shawna,

Very happy that your Dad's surgery went well. You should have the path report in a day or so. Now he has to regain his strenght. It will take a while, but he will come around.

Steve Daib

Congratulations Shawna and Dad!
Marica

Shawna....wonderful news about your Dad, thanks so much for sharing!!!! Carol

What a wonderful post. You have made my day Shawna and Pat.
Love and light from Helen

There can be no better start to a long weekend than great news! Thank you for sharing it with us Shawna. Good luck to your dad as he progresses through the healing process.

Bill

Shawna,

Great news! I saw Dr. A two weeks ago for my 5 year checkup and he said he won't see me again unless I happen to bump into him on Sanibel Island. (I think he has a winter home there) Your dad will continue his recovery too, each passing year is always a joy. My best to you, your family and your dad.

Great news, Shawna. Your dad can wear his frankenscar as a badge of courage, that is what I consider mine! (but it really isn't bad)

Mark,

I noticed in your tag line you are at 4 years 8 months.... any special plans for the big 5?

Best to all in our various stages of healing and living.
Lisa

So encouraging, thanks guys. ENT came by and said there's nothing else they need to do. (With the exception of follow ups). I keep thinking of all you and the inspiration you provide my father and I.
We're just hanging in the hospital. I call my dad "tube neck" because when he walks the tubes thwap on his neck. My uncle calls him the predator. The neck and submandibular regions are puffing.
Now, for the emotional side. Before his surgery he convinced himself and me that he may have more lumps in his neck.
One day and ray of sun at a time.

Congratulations, Shawna and Dad! .....mostly for keeping each other's attitudes and perspective on the positive side through the dark/scary uncertainties. It makes ALL the difference. I loved the post about the "frankenscar" as a badge of courage- gives me some more material to "play" with in my own recovery. Hope all continues well into the future.
Gordon

Yes, keep plugging Gordon. They can do amazing things these days. If you master the art of living one day at a time, give us some of what you're taking--

I just picked him up from the hospital, he's on his way home. We are going to thoroughly enjoy this high right now and always pray for us and everyone.

He just asked me: "Do you think I'm going to freak people out when I go and pick up a gallon of milk?" I told him that most people are either in the medical field or know someone who has had surgery. Most people think: "What a courageous Lion---" Or-"I wonder if OJ simpson was visiting him and lost?"

hi shawna, great news about your dad.thats what we all like to hear my best wishes for the future. .........god bless you both ...maz

Great news Shawna!!

Hi Shawna,

I'm so glad your Dad's surgery went well. I got my frankenneck operation right at the beginning-before the rad and chemo and before I even knew I needed rad and chemo and I remember how horrible I thought it looked (I didn't realize that the "neck staples" would really look like staples until I looked in the mirror in the hospital room). With my hair standing up on end and being kind of pale (it was February) I really looked like the bride of frankenstein for a few days but it healed VERY quickly. And the good thing for your Dad is this is the last thing he'll need to heal from--hopefully for a very long while.

Nelie

Hi Shawna and Dad,
Glad the surgery went well and he is now back home on the road to recovery.

Get that Biafine radiation cream back out(ask doctor first). It is a deep wound healing lotion and does great work on that frankenscar. I used it on both my neck dissections aand barely have a scar(course, I had a great surgeon also). Get the PT or doctor to show him how to massage the scar so it doesn't tighten up. Don't remember how many weeks later you are allowed to do this. Depending on what they had to cut, he may have muscle weakness in the shoulder and need PT. Check with doctor on this also. I was told not to lift anything greater than a lb for several weeks. I found propping something under my arm to reduce drag on the shoulder helped until it had enough strength on it's own.

Onward and upward to a speedy recovery from surgery.

Take care,
Eileen

Shawna and Dad,

So glad to hear everything went so well and you both seem to be in such great spirits with positive attitudes. This will help you both as you push forward. This will truly be a Thanksgiving to remember. Shawna, tell your dad to have some extra turkey and pie on the house! Hoping your recovery continues on the smooth part of the highway!

Hugs, Nancy

I am so happy and honored to hear from so many of you! My father and I are trying to live in the moment. It is funny what a roller coaster this is. You know, we just had the good news and he's recovering nicely. But now, we are both stirring until the appointment this Friday. This is when they tell us how many nodes they were able to extract and whether anything is lingering. Oh, and there is the CT scan in December that is going to look at the 3 mm node in his left lung...it's hard, it's just really hard. Not to say we are not positive, it's just the realization that we are succeptible to anything. One day at a time...one day at a time. Dad is tired after surgery and says his shoulder is very weak--they must have stretched his spinal accessory nerve pretty good.
I adore you guys-thank you.

Dear Shawna and Dad,

I am SO HAPPY to hear the good news about your Dad!
Hopefully your rollercoaster ride can slow down now. Best wishes to the both of you and your family...You both have the greatest gift of all: EACH OTHER!
Take Care,
dee