Wishing you the best in your treatment plan. So sorry that you have to deal with this AGAIN. Prayers, healthy thoughts and good vibes coming your way.

Best,
Anita

Update: I have exploratory surgery scheduled at University Hospitals (Case Western Reserve) for March 10. This will determine if I am even a candidate for the robotic surgery. Because of the radiation damage to my mouth, I can't open it that wide, so he won't know if he can use the robotic instruments until he actually tries to get in there. If the robotic is not an option, they will try the more "standard" surgery, which will involve opening up my jaw. My doctor is Dr. Rod Rezaee, who is the Director of Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery at the Seidman Cancer Center at University Hospitals.

I hope everything goes smoothly and as planned with your exploratory procedure. Its wise to always have a plan B which Im happy to see you already have in place. You can never be too prepared or plan too much.

Good luck!!!!

So glad you have a few answers... fingers crossed that you can have the robotic surgery,.... stretch!!! ;o) before then. Cracking the jaw will not be fun! particularly after rads... very much hoping for option one. hugs.

Well that is good news - a treatment plan.
I think we all feel slightly better about things when we have a plan in place.
Not long now. Take care.
Tammy

Well, option one is not an option, I am afraid. The condition of my mouth and the invasiveness of the tumor make that impossible. Now I have two options. One is to do nothing and essentially give up. The other involves very invasive surgery which would also involve some major lifestyle changes. I would have a permanent feeding tube, and a permanent trache. I am not sure that I would ever be able to eat or speak normally again. I know that there are others on here who have faced similar challenges. I would like to know how you coped and are coping with them. I am not ready to totally give up yet. I have a new granddaughter due in April, and I would like to be part of her life if possible.

Im so sorry the options are not what was expected! Please dont give up!!!! I almost did but the members of this forum helped me to see the big picture.... you cant quit without even trying. I have life long issues that I deal with on a daily basis which make some days harder than others. The important thing is Im still here, despite any lifestyle changes. What helps me to keep going is I help others. I refuse to focus on my own problems and sit around dwelling on any deficiencies I now have. I was never one to feel sorry for myself, instead I look on the bright side of things. Much of this is about the person you are inside..... that does not change no matter what else changes. As we get older, looks will fade and we all have our ailments but one thing will remain constant --- who you are inside. There isnt anyone who could change who you are and the good person you have inside of you. Not sure if this helped or not but it works for me so maybe it will for you too.

Hang in there!




PS.... My first grandbaby will be arriving next month. We will both be grandmothers together in only a few more weeks

Thanks, Christine! You are an inspiration to all of us. I am in a handbell choir at church and the director called me this afternoon. I told her that I might be back to bell choir eventually, since I don't need to speak to play the handbells...I just ring! She said that they would keep my bell warm for me. I had been planning to stay home from my Kiwanis meeting tomorrow night, but I have rethought that. I think that I will keep going to the meetings at least until they schedule my surgery. Thanks again for your words of wisdom.

P.S. Congrats on being a new grandmother. Grandchildren are the best! Little Madeline Rose will join her 3-year-old brother Alexander on April 19.

Well, I too am sorry this isn't quite what you were expecting.
When we got Kris's treatment plan we never in our wildest dreams were expecting that. I even contemplated killing us both off by driving into a tree on the 3 hour drive home. Of course I quickly dismissed that. Children to live for . Future Grandbabies to live for.
So we just got on with it. Has it been challenging? Definitely. But you know, there is still good life to be had. Kris does have a good and worthwhile life. He keeps very busy. Yes social contact is a lot more restricted and going out for dinner takes on a whole new meaning. But he accompanies me and enjoys the social interaction . We are planning a holiday in Vietnam again this year. So yes, life will still be worth living. You just make adjustments.
If you have any specific questions I can help with, just ask.
Tammy

I am over on my end the the states praying for you. I'm really sorry to hear what you will need to go through. Prayers for the best outcomes and the least challenging symptoms when it's all said and done. Hang in there.