First of all,
BIG Thank you to all members for your support while I was on board.

Here are updates on my planned surgery.
Surgery went really well as expected, like I said.
Team removed the mass, did a flap reconstruction and performed neck dissection on right side only. 10 hours in total.
Healing - was relatively faster
Started- written communication in 12 hours after surgery.
Started - using iPad on a third day of surgery.
Pains- we're in full control through meds.
Swelling -was going away consistently every single day except tongue.
Stay in hospital - I was discharged on a fifth day after surgery. But was sent to nursing facility to monitor under controlled environment, I am still here. Another full week, before I go home. I personally decided not to go home until all attachments are removed. Follow the flow, get things done and then go home with no stress of attachments.
Mouth sours - are there but getting better with magic mouth wash and constant oral hygiene using salt water and zero alcohol mouth wash. I am trying everything one by one during the day time to feel fresh breath and confident feeling.

Came to nursing facility on a fifth day of surgery and today I completed fifth day here as well. a quick look at here.

Saw a team of care takers including OT, PT, swallow and speech therapist, recreational SW and many more amazing professionals behind me to restore and regain all my functions.

Swallow- started with little piece of ice, let it melt and swallow. Over all progress, one piece of ice on a first day to 20 pieces on a fifth day.
Speech- started with one little sound. On a fifth day, I can say about 10 words based on training.

I am still on a feeding tube as of writing this. Which is an up coming end to this.

Today 1/28, pain and swelling on tongue are almost zero. I have my first day after surgery, I can breath through mouth and nose. I tried different things, it worked.

Trech, feeding tube through nose and drains were attached due to reconstruction and will be removed after first post surgery visit to ENT and a plastic surgeon, which I am going to see on 1/30.

Last but not least, clock at work will resume ticking starting Monday. I don't have to go to office, but functional to play around on a laptop for 8 hours keeping myself busy until next round of treatment.

So glad things went well. This surgery usually has a recovery time of 10-14 days. Hugs.

Glad to see your update, Ankur. You sound like you are making very good progress with your after surgery recovery. Keep up the good work. You will be back to feeling like your self very soon.

That's all very promising news, Ankur. We're all pulling for you.

BIG Thank you to all fellas here.

All attachments removed this morning.
Feeding tube, Treach, and three drain pipes.
Started with liquid and soft foods.
Feel way better.

Back home after 12 days now. Waiting next treatment phase that is radiation. On a follow up appointment with ENT, clearly mentioned that chemo is not required; only radiation will secure all possibilities. He asked me to see in six months.

Christine,

Thank you so much for appreciation. Yes, I am back home now and doing rally good. Starting to work tomorrow 2/3.

Sounds like you have made a very fast recovery. So happy to hear you are well enough to return to work already.

Good luck tomorrow!

Ankur, that's all fantastic to hear. I send continued good vibes. You're amazing!

Thank you all.

yeah!!!

Ankur - it looks like your surgery and recovery went great; very few side effects, the pain was minimal or well handled via medication and healing occured quickly. That's all wonderful to hear because for so many they don't heal quickly like you did; they have significant side effects.

But, maybe the best thing of all is you have obviously maintained a really positive attitude through the surgery and recovery. That is very noticeable in your writing and it will help others who come after you to maintain a positive attitude also.

Keep that wonderful attitude up, it will help you get through radiation just like it helped you get through surgery. I had very few side effects from radiation treatment, maybe you will be luckly like that too.

Keep writing about what is going on with you.

Tony

Tony,

Very Good Morning!
It's 7:00AM EST here and slow is allover here in Philly.

First of all, thank you so much for precise attention to my recovery and replies to my posts. I feel too fortunate to be here. Honestly, I maintain strict protocol of self motivation and rock steady attitude/approach to treat this guest "C".
Luckily I have multiple mentors here who encouraged me to get through this flawlessly. I saw your reply to Fish, kindly for your info, we are in touch over FB and sharing experiences. We enjoyed video chat and gained confidence a lot. He is running a month ahead of my treatment, so its truly easier to follow pattern and his experience footprint. I am so glad to have such an extraordinary leverage in this high tech age. All blessed and thanks to god for enormous moral an spiritual power.
Definitely, I will posted here all developments. BTW, 24 Feb I am going to see RO first time to discuss second phase treatment blue print. After that I'll bring more updates.
One question I have is, my dentist examined my tooth and said everything looks great and you are good to go for Rads. But he denied to make FL treys saying it's hard to take impression of your jaws since mouth is not fully opened. SO he gave me disposable treys for a month, use and throw kind of thing. My question is,
Do I need a custom fit treys during the treatment? Is it
Is it mandatory / must to have treys right before Rads?

Thanks