| Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 41 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 41 | I want to pack some items for my husband for the hospital when he is recovering from his jaw surgery. This will be very different than when he was in the hospital for induction chemo. What are the items or types of clothing etc that were most useful while recovering?
Caregiver to husband 53 SCC stage 3 soft palate 2011 Rad, recurrence tongue stage 4 2012 induction chemo, partial glossectomy surgery, cancer back left rad neck dissection 2013, more chemo, allergic to erbitux, cancer back 2014 floor of mouth and jaw, mandibulectomy scheduled 3/5/2014
| | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 | Wow, that's really thinking ahead, excellent caregiver. I wish I knew what to tell you to take, but I don't.
I do expect that mostly he will just be tired, and sleep a lot, so he won't be needing much of anything. For those times when he is awake and wanting something to do, maybe his favorite magazines or style of paperback novel if he is a reader. Does he use reading glasses, maybe an extra set of those.
Keep up the good work, we all wish we had someone like you.
Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)
09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0. 11/13 start rads, no chemo 12/13 taste gone, dry mouth, 02/14 hair slowly returning 05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps. 01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter. 12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good
| | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 41 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 41 | I was thinking about getting an extra pair of reading glasses. I will make sure his kindle is all charged and ready to go just in case.
Caregiver to husband 53 SCC stage 3 soft palate 2011 Rad, recurrence tongue stage 4 2012 induction chemo, partial glossectomy surgery, cancer back left rad neck dissection 2013, more chemo, allergic to erbitux, cancer back 2014 floor of mouth and jaw, mandibulectomy scheduled 3/5/2014
| | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Missy, dont get discouraged if your husband isnt up to doing much after this major surgery. If he is kept in a medically induced coma for a couple days his mind will likely be a bit fuzzy and his concentration will be off. I had a mandibulectomy and although I had some complications with my surgery, I found it impossible to concentrate enough to peruse anything more than a magazine for a couple months afterwards. I pretty much glanced thru the pictures not really absorbing anything at all. For me, I couldnt even read a short story for months after the surgery. That was just me, Im sure your husband will do alot better than I did.
I would suggest some comedy DVDs or things that dont take alot of concentration. Maybe some very easy puzzle books, magazines and TIVO his favorite shows when he is in the hospital so he can enjoy them when he feels up to it. ChristineSCC 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 | | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 756 Likes: 1 | He may have difficulty speaking after surgery, so bring something for him to write notes such as a whiteboard with erasable markers, notebook and pens, etc. A cell phone so he can send text and email messages.
Susan
SCC R-Lateral tongue, T1N0M0 Age 47 at Dx, non-smoker, casual drinker, HPV- Surgery: June 2005 RT: Feb-Apr 2006 HBOT: 45 in 2008; 30 in 2013; 30 in 2022 -> Total 105! Recurrence/Surgeries: Jan & Apr 2010 Biopsy 2/2011: Moderate dysplasia Surgery 4/2011: Mild dysplasia Dental issues: 2013-2022 (ORN)
| | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | Supporting Member (50+ posts) Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 58 | Missy I agree with Christine. I too had a mandiblectomy recently. I am a huge reader 3-4 books a week. I never even thought about reading. texting or any of my gadgets. Pain meds, rest and recovery was my main focus. I truly feel for what you and your husband ate about to go through. Stay strong he is so blessed to have you. In my thoughts.
8/2013 dx sarcoma lft mandible 10/22/2013 fibula free flap with mandiblectomy, peg,tracheotomy, 11/8/13 trach removal, 2nd mandible sx 12/13, 35 IMRT 1/2014.4/2014 chemo x6 only tolerated 3. (Seizures) repeat fibula free flap 1/2016
| | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 41 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 41 | thanks for the advice...just don't know what to expect and I don't have alot of local support so trying to plan ahead...
Caregiver to husband 53 SCC stage 3 soft palate 2011 Rad, recurrence tongue stage 4 2012 induction chemo, partial glossectomy surgery, cancer back left rad neck dissection 2013, more chemo, allergic to erbitux, cancer back 2014 floor of mouth and jaw, mandibulectomy scheduled 3/5/2014
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