I can't seem to accept my MEC diagnosis and upcoming neck resection.I understand the surgery. I worked in the OR until arthritis put an end. I've dealt with ravages of severe arthritis for almost 30 yrs.I have managed to adjust and still keep my sense of humor.I've always fought back before so I'm surprised at the way I feel. "If I ignore it, it will go away." I could sit and read all day. I will have the surgery.Just worried.
Sweetpea

Sweetpea

"No fooling?" surgery on April 1? Just helping you keep that sense of humor active and well. I was worried sick about my neck dissection and it turned out better than I feared You say you know the drill based on OR, so won't repeat anything but best wishes and good luck

Sweetpea,

You know its no cakewalk....but its not as bad as our fears make it. I had to do a modified radical bi-lateral on Oct 31st of all days. So I put on my best Frankenstein bolts and went to the OR Now you have to know what you're looking for or you'll miss all the work that was done.
Hope it all works out well for you...do ALL of your exercises and do what you're instructed and you'll be OK.

My mantra - you can get through anything if you just keep your eyes closed! Its works for me so far You will get through it.

Until then, its okay to take a vacation from cancer until such time as you HAVE to deal with it. Its okay to ignore it until say the day before surgery. That way you don't let it steal these days that you are enjoying with a good book. Read on!

Donna

Good luck to you. I had a racial neck dissection about 18 months ago. All went well and according to plan. Healing process from surgery was actually pretty fast. I opted for it on the front end with radiation to follow as my daughter's wedding was 6 weeks off when I was diagnosed.

Sweetpea, one thing after the rads is that you will have your very own Halloween mask and it looks just like that bad butt from halloween. damn, can't think of his name LOL

Jim:
Jason Voorhees but can't believe you never played hockey or saw it on TV - or else you had a radiologist with one twisted sense of humor

Sweetpea
the Mask is much more fencing than hockey like with its contured white mesh. Mine was hanging on my wall as a proud trophy until the recurrence so now it's down and waiting for me to learn how to weld so I can incorporate it into a sculpture

Was trying to think of Jason from the movie Halloween. LOL maybe a physdelic ,SP, paint job with some glass eyes imbedded in it.

Charm, you would have loved the 2 gorgeous gals that did my Rads.. I like to get hugged by them when I see them at the office, LOL They leave a couple of ID marks on your body LOL Just for ID purposes only. HUmmmmmmmmmmm !!!!

Sweetpea, I know what you mean. We end up doing what's necessary just so long as we don't dwell on it ahead of time and talk ourselves out of it. And the mask is a nifty trophy. Actually, I have 2 because the 1st try got messed up when I had trouble breathing and started moving around. I could be theatrical and paint a laughing face on one and a crying face on the other.

Hi Sweetpea.....we've all said it, the waiting is the worst part. Sometimes I wish they would say, "ok you need surgery" and take you to the O.R right away. I try to let myself feel whatever I'm feeling. Don't fight it. We all focus so much on getting through it which is our fight or flight. We are programmed to fight when it comes to cancer. I wish you much luck tomorrow and can't wait to hear how it goes....xoxo

Sweetpea,
Good luck tomorrow.
Malka

Wishing you the best with your surgery. I will keep you in my prayers.

Patty

Thanks everyone. It's done and I'm home. Yay! It went much easier than I anticipated. I feel like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It went so well there's a chance I won't have to do the radiation therapy or at least fewer treatments. That'd be great. My case will be discussed at the next Tumor Board. I probably won't know for 2 weeks. The rt half of my tongue is paralyzed. That's permanent. The rt cheek is paralyzed but it may not be permanent. I have some eating questions but I'll post them elsewhere. Thanks again for your help with my pre-surgery jitters. Sweetpea

Sweetpea,
What surgery did you have that caused you to have paralysis in the rt tongue and cheek? I thought you were just having a neck dissection.

Glad it went well and you are home. Keep us posted as to how you are doing.

Take care,
Eileen

Glad it's over and happy that you're happy. Lets hope they got it all.

Oh Sweetpea...that is wonderful news!! I'm so happy to hear you are doing good. Do they know what caused your cheek and tongue to be paralyzed?

Wonderful news that the surgery is done and you are now home.
Ask away re eating questions...Love to contribute on the subject.

Glad you are home and hapy sweetpea, You just have to believe they got it all and it will keep you upbeat and happy. Never have a doubnt. You are a toughy anyway and can plan a future now.

Eileen, my tumor was wrapped around the Lingual nerve and so they removed the nerve. That caused the tongue paralysis. Parts of the Facial nerve were affected during the dissection. They may or may not return to function. Only time will tell. I'm hoping. I still have quite a bit of swelling.

Sweetpea

Sweetpea, I have facial and tongue paralysis on my right side as well. They had to compromise my facial nerve during my Mandiblectomy/Neck Dissection marathon surgery last June. The doc said I have a chance at recovery as well but it's been nine months and still paralyzed.

I had my surgery done post rads so I still have swelling and issues, but I'm in HBO now and I see some of the swelling come down after only 5 treatments.

I hope you are feeling better!