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#148132 04-11-2012 10:44 PM
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My husband Ronnie is 58 years old. He has been in intensive care for 14 days after oral cancer surgery. Mandibule reconstruction, large cancer under the tongue removed, bottom of tongue removed, all lymph nodes on right side removed, bone from leg used for mandibule. On April 5 back to OR for PEG. April 7 back to OR for wash out of infection on right side, drain put in. April 9 back to OR to repair flap on gum on right side.
Today, back to OR to repair chin. When the cancer was removed from the inside of the chin the skin was left too thin and skin had to be added so radation will not burn through there. He walks with a walker but not too far and he is good spirits, however when in the OR on April 7 someone fell against his leg causing intense pain for days. Now they say he has to go to a special care facility. This was never mentioned to us in all the pre op talks with the two surgery teams. Is this the normal thing to do? I am getting stressed and you folks know a lot more than me......help.


Pat Harris
Path #148133 04-12-2012 12:15 AM
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Hi Pat!

Welcome to OCF my new friend! Glad you found us my dear, sorry you had to!

From the sounds of things...this is "normal" From the sounds of things he's doing very well too as he's in good spirits and moving around, that is awesome!

The pain from where the flap was taken in the leg is very common, that was where I experienced the most pain actually after surgery. I was rockin my walker for quite sometime afterwards and still bust out my cane every now and again.

This is a "huge" surgery to be sure and it takes sometime to recover and heal. Key is to keep breathing, keep him out of pain (pain is the enemy of healing as it puts the body in distress and slows the healing process) and just take it one step at a time.

We are here to support you both, we've been there and can help answer any questions Pat. I'm very glad you found us smile The people on these forums have been a Godsend personally so plug in as much as you need! Don't be afraid to ask questions or reach out!

Eric


Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
EricS #148138 04-12-2012 05:06 AM
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It does sound fairly normal since the surgery was extensive. However a few red flags are up here. Is he at a CCC? An experienced surgeon one who is good, and has performed similar surgeries - if you are at a CCC it's likely he/she would have performed a similar operaton at least once - would have known what to expect - re the skin, the leg etc.. (I didn't have the mandible/ gum reconstruction - but I did have the rest - and i came out of the OR with two drains in place. The multiple trips to the OR is a bit concerning... Infection is something that happens - and is pretty much uncontrollable (though sterility and care does have some play in it) - his immune system is likely compromised leaving him more open to infection, but having to go back in - repair - gums, and chin skin - well that sounds to me like they didn't anticipate these problems before hand... Something an experienced surgeon would - not to say that the surgeon - I'm assuming he's an ENT (surgical oncologist) isn't experienced but I meant experienced with this type of invasive cancer ) I'm surprised the peg wasn't fitted from the outset as its a simple procedure and very short, and falling against his leg well I imagine it was an accident but still - that probably made matters worse... Particularly if it's the leg the bone for his mandible was harvested from - As for the special care facility - did they say how long and why? If he's moving around and able to get nutrition via the peg it doesn't make sense...

Another question - when they're planning to start rads? They might want to send him to a special care facility during rads as he is a very heavy patient - he has to heal and pain management will be an issue during radiation considering all that has been done to him.

I know it's frustrating particularly if you're unsure of what's normal - and everyone recovers at his or her own rate... But do educate yourself, and ask questions - some drs. tend to run roughshod over patients and their families because the patient and support people seem complacent to accept whatever the dr. Says. If you are more vocal, and ask for a full explanation - it makes them realize that you're not just a number but someone they are accountable to. So ask them - state your concerns- and make sure you get a complete picture of what and or why... smile

Hugs - good luck and take care.


Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
Cheryld #148140 04-12-2012 05:51 AM
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Thanks for your answer ...he is at Duke and no they did not say how,long at special care. I just got a call... The flap looks to be breaking down again. Rads will have to wait until he heals completely. Something is not right about this whole thing and I feel uneasy. I was bald headed this time last year...breast cancer, but what I went through is nothing compared to this. Thanks again.


Pat Harris
EricS #148142 04-12-2012 05:54 AM
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Thanks for the words of encouragement. I need them. So happy to have found all you good people.


Pat Harris
Path #148144 04-12-2012 06:57 AM
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Welcome to OCF, Pat! A mandibulectomy is one rough procedure to recover from! It will take your husband a long time to recover. Its very common to send a patient who has this done to a special care facility to further recover before going home. Everything you have described sounds like its normal to me.

When I had my mandibulectomy, I was hospitalized for 2 months. I hurt so bad and would cry almost every day from the pain. It was terrible! That was my experience, everyone is different and will recover at their own pace. It will take a full year for his body to be completely healed from this invasive procedure. It is also normal to be sent back into the OR for minor tweaking. During my 2 month stint, I had a total of 7 surgeries. My first mandibulectomy failed and my face turned black where the new skin was, it had to be redone. This is not common but it does happen. Its more common within the first week of the procedure if the transported skin does not get adequate blood flow.

To help with the healing, your husband should be getting extra protein. I would speak to his doctor about this. There are liquid protein 'shots' that have 25 grams of protein and they can be put right thru his feeding tube. In cases like this, it is a good idea to help him bounce back quicker.

Hang in there, it will be ok now that you have found OCF to help you.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
Path #148145 04-12-2012 07:03 AM
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"OCF Canuck"
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Hi again... The flap breaking down makes me wonder if perhaps they didn't get it all maybe they should get larger margins or as Christine said inadequate blood flow... I'm assuming it's the tongue/floor of mouth we're talking about. I'm Canadian so I'm not sure if duke is a ccc - and how experienced they are with OC - I would find out - someone here may have been treated there - maybe they will pipe in. I can tell you a young girl on here last year had similar issues - flap would not take... It was redone several times - I think this was partly due to cancer stil in situ - and ultimately infection that became systemic. (she had it redone 4 times! ) I think this is a job for a very very skilled surgeon (very small space, very delicate surgery), and I have to tell you when I had my surgery my SO/ENT operated first then they had a plastic surgeon/ ENT rebuild my tongue and the floor of my mouth. It wasn't a picnic, but it was well done, I have amazing mobility with it and I lost a 3rd. I think you're right to be concerned - ask a crapload of questions get the details and research the responses. Congrats on getting through breast cancer... That's no picnic either! Hugs... You can do this.

Last edited by Cheryld; 04-12-2012 07:05 AM.

Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
Cheryld #148148 04-12-2012 09:13 AM
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Pat, I can't even imagine what your husband is going through, what you went through a year ago and what you're experiencing for him right now. I'll let the experts here add their advice - as they have so well already - and just send you all my best positive vibes.


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
David2 #148154 04-12-2012 10:04 AM
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Thank you for,the kind words. I have learned his ent dr. Does not want to take,him back to surgery at this time. Dont know why. The plastics are the ones saying the flap is breaking down. At first we were told he would,be in icu for 5 to 6 days amd be in hospital dor 10 days, well that went out the window. 14 days and 5 surgeries later. Oh well.


Pat Harris
Path #148156 04-12-2012 10:26 AM
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Pat, this is a very hard complicated procedure. All kinds of things can happen. I was kept in a medically induced coma for 3 weeks so I was lucky and slept thru the worst of it. A physical therapy facility is a very good place to go before he is sent home. It will help him to prepare and gain strength before he goes home and is left without the medical professionals being there with him.

The plastics doc is probably trying to wait it out and is hoping it takes so your husband can avoid another surgery. I hope it turns around and he can avoid having anything else done. As far as looks go, any reconstructive procedures can be done down the road. They will make him wait a full year before doing any major adjustments.

Best wishes!


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
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