i don't really understand how to use this forum, i just signed in, but i'm having serious depression problems. 2 years since lower mouth removed and replaced by a graft from my thigh. lost lymph nodes and half of saliva ducts

Welcome Mick! Glad you found us brotha! The more you use these forums the better you'll get at it, the important thing is that you've found them and you're participating!

ChristineB and others are really good at helping those that need a little direction with the forums (like myself even though I've used them for over 3 years and am an Admin...). Just keep asking questions and sharing my friend, like anything practice makes perfect!

Hi Mick! Welcome to OCF. I have moved your post to where it should be. I have sent you some info to help you find this and learn how to navigate the forum.

You are not alone so that should be a small comfort to you. There are so many here who have walked similar paths. I have lost my lower jaw and have many after effects but I consider myself lucky. Im still here to help others learn from what I went thru. I know its not easy living a new life after battling oral cancer. It can be done and you can have a good life. Its more challenging to some members. Hang around here and we will give you guidance and info to help you get past this low part of your life.

It WILL get easier. You still are the same guy inside, right? Dont let your outside determine who you are. You might think "yeah, right they dont know what I look like". Guess what? I am very disfigured from oral cancer and so is Eric. We both have had to learn how to live our lives again after devastating surgeries. You might think things right now are bad but they will get better.

If you need help on the forum, let me know. To respond to a post just type in the box at the bottom of the thread. To make your own posts (something you really should do when you have something you want answered) click on the topic on the left column. Next click on the "new topic" button towards the top left corner. Type what you want and submit. It really is pretty easy once you do a couple posts.

Hang in there!

i had serious problems with post surgery. two weeks of induced coma, i threatened to kill everyone. all male nurses after day 3. very embaressing because i have never been violent without a reason.

Oh boy! I guess those meds must have messed you up to cause your violent reaction. No reason to be embarrassed, that person was NOT the real you. Im sure the medical professionals have dealt with alot more than what happened with you. I was kept asleep for 3 weeks due to complications, mandibulectomy had to be redone. Rough recovery! Im sure you know how that goes. Just try to think how far you have come sine you went thru all that. Try your very best to see your progress and the positive things that have come from what you have endured.

I see you got the hang of making new posts. Pretty easy stuff, you are a quick learner.

Now Im going to throw you a curve ball. How about this one? Make a signature so we can better get to know your history. Its easy and only takes a couple minutes. There is a space minimum so you may need to abbreviate where necessary. Go to the "My Stuff" tab, click on "profile". Scroll to the bottom and type your info in the white box and submit.

Hi mick, welcome!!! You got through it despite depression and everything else you got through it - that's no small victory. What Christine said was right your reaction post op was likely medication related! No need to be embarrassed - I used to be a nurse and believe me we've - they've seen it ALL! in fact here was a recent thread here by dejeer - he's a survivor - his wife was in the hospital and had a wicked reaction (delusions paranoia etc..) to something... Not funny at the time but in retrospect - it is what it is!! Good luck. Read around - give some input everyone's voice is valuable... Take care!

Mick

I was just reading my AARP magazine and saw this quote:
[quote]"Once you've had your Life Burn Down, it takes time to be a Phoenix[/quote]
It's been three years since my salvage surgery for the recurrence and 5 years since first time of cancer DX and I'm still working on it. That's why I'm Charm2017, the year I'm shooting for to work this all out.
Don't give up - you can do this .

Charm

Welcome Mick!

I did some pretty crazy stuff when I was all drugged up too, don't worry! I hope you are finding that everyone on this forum is great!