#37715 08-11-2004 08:05 AM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 8 Member | OP  Member
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 8 | I am scheduled for surgery on 8/23/04 to remove a new tumor in right side of neck.I had a neck dissection on the right side 7/21/2003. They are going to remove the tumor and spit gland,then do a flap reconstruction. Has any one had one and what was the recovery time? Doc said the operation would last up to eight hours.
Thanks
Bobby J
SSC stage IV Base of tongue
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#37716 08-11-2004 10:38 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | Bobby, Sorry to hear you have a new opportunity. Hopefully they will get it all this time and you will be free of the disease. Just curious, did you have radiation the first time? Chemotherapy? Are you being treated at a cancer center? I can't help you directly as I haven't had the procedures you are going to have, but you will certainly be in my prayers, you and your medical team.
Regards, Kirk Georgia
Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
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#37717 08-11-2004 12:59 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 | Hi Bobby! I'm sorry you have to go through this. I had my surgery 2/26/04, was swallowing sips of water within a few weeks even though it made me cough like crazy. It's now August & I still cough a little bit especially when I drink anything as fluid as water, but am able to eat anything as long as I have enough liquid of some sort to wash it down. I'm even eating spicy foods in moderation, still burns the tip of my tongue some. I think of my flap as a living prosthetic device. It really doesn't have any function of its own other than to sort of take up the space where my right half of my tongue use to be. It just get moved around by whats left of my tongue. I can't imagine what it would be like without it. That's my long winded answer to your question about recovery time. Just when I thought I was eating ok, radiation & chemo started & then my throat had to recover from that. It seems like that took longer to recover from. I just keep trying. I suprise myself daily at the things I am able to eat with enough liquid. Keep yer chin up bub!!
dx 2/11/04 scca bot T3 IU 2B MO poorly differentiated, margins ok, 3/16 modest, jaw split, over half of tongue removed, free flap from left forearm - finished chemo & rad treatment 5/20/04
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#37718 08-16-2004 06:11 AM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 8 | Thanks for the info. Yes I had radiation before /no chemo. I work and I am being treated at Duke Med Center,so I am in good hands. I may have not told the type of flap I am having but this one is to rebuild the neck area. No sign of reoccurrence in my tongue,just in the node. I have been told that I will get rad. and chemo this time.(Fun fun)
Thanks
Bobby
SSC stage IV Base of tongue
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#37719 08-17-2004 02:36 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Bobby, I cannot imagine my mouth without the flap either. It replaces the left half of my tongue, I can pretty much eat anything with plenty of water to wash it down. Of course, lots of foods do not taste the same, but that's okay. I even get to enjoy my coffee again!!! God Bless, you are in my thoughts and prayers...Love, Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
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#37720 08-17-2004 06:20 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hi Bobby,
I had a flap reconstruction in August 03. They used my right side chest pech muscle to reconstruct my throat. The other flap I'm aware of is when they take part of your forearm and use that to rebuild your throat. They then take a piece of skin from your theigh to cover the forearm. It's not as bad as it sounds.
I was eating soft foods within 3 to 4 weeks. I am eating most foods except bread now.
Good luck with your treatment,
Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#37721 08-17-2004 08:57 AM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 274 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 274 | Bobby,
I had the forearm free-flap used to cover the void left from my tonsil surgery. It healed fast and the scar on my arm has faded nicely. I thought they did the neck dissection from the outside and could thereby avoid the use of the flap. Are they going after your tonsil or something? Just curious.
Glenn | | |
#37722 08-18-2004 07:11 AM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 8 | Yes the neck dissection is done from the outside and that is where they are going to put this free flap. They are going after more nodes and spit gland. Doc said I would be in surgery 10 to 12 hours and in intensive care for two days. He said they would keep me asleep so I don't move at all and mess up his handy work. Lots of micro vascular sutures that will tear easy,wants them to start healing and so they don't hemorrhage But whatever it takes I am ready!
Bobby
SSC stage IV Base of tongue
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#37723 08-18-2004 08:52 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Bobby-
Sorry to hear about your upcoming surgery. You are still on my prayer list and I'll pray that tthey will kill the beast this time around!! Hang in there and know that many prayers are headed your way. Keep that good attitude!!!! - Kris
SCC Stage IV left tonsil neck disection 3/02 radiation finished 6/02 chemo finished 9/02
Stage 2A left breast cancer 3/09, chemo and radiation, finished treatment 2/7/10 -Stage 2 right beast cancer 10/14 chemo and radiation
Every day is still a gift :-)
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#37724 08-31-2004 10:48 AM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 8 | Well, home from the hospital. Nine hours of surgery two days in ICU then back home on Sat.Went back to see the Docs today and they said I am doing great! They still don't have all the path. reports but should have them by Thursday. The flap on the side of neck looks good It is just whiter than the rest of my neck but thats OK I am not very vain anyway. My wife has been by my side the intire time she is so great.The frozen sections that they did all came back no cancer so I am praying that I will not have too have rad/chemo but we will see. Thanks for all the prayers and post.
Bobby
SSC stage IV Base of tongue
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#37725 08-31-2004 10:48 AM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 8 Member | | OP Member
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 8 | Well, home from the hospital. Nine hours of surgery two days in ICU then back home on Sat.Went back to see the Docs today and they said I am doing great! They still don't have all the path. reports but should have them by Thursday. The flap on the side of neck looks good It is just whiter than the rest of my neck but thats OK I am not very vain anyway. My wife has been by my side the intire time she is so great.The frozen sections that they did all came back no cancer so I am praying that I will not have too have rad/chemo but we will see. Thanks for all the prayers and post.
Bobby
SSC stage IV Base of tongue
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#37726 08-31-2004 11:04 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | Bobby, Welcome home. Glad you got through the experience and sounds as if the results were good and may be very good. Aren't wives great. Mine was with me the whole way as well, even though I was a jerk upon occasion. She is a saint. Let the doctors advise you on the rad/chemo. If you need it, take it. If they advise against it, think about it because that may be the difference between success and failure. Good luck and keep us posted. Will continue praying for you.
Regards, Kirk Georgia
Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
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#37727 09-01-2004 04:47 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Bobby,
Glad to see you home so quick. Nothing compares to sleeping in your own bed...even the great hospital food that you didn't get to experience!
I know I would have never made it without my wife, too. I will be praying for you, too.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#37728 09-02-2004 01:38 PM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Good Luck Bobby!!!
I'm sending some prayers your way. Beat the beast down for good!!! Hoping your healing goes well.
What kind of radiation are they going to give you? Also what kind of chemo drugs are you going to get?
Best Wishes for a speedy and full recovery!!!
Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
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#37729 09-04-2004 01:49 PM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 89 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 89 | BobbyJ,
I like your attitude of "But whatever it takes I am ready"!
I try to take that attitude, it helps me and feels so much better than the wondering, worrying, and fear (which can be hard to avoid).
Glad to hear good results of your short hospital stay. We'rre cheering for you!
History of leukoplakia <2001-2004. SCC lateral tongue 9/03; left radical neck dissection & hemiglosectomy 10/03, T2-3,N0M0; 28 IMRT radiation completed 12/03. 30 HBO dives Oct-Nov 04 for infections and bone necrosis -mandible.
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#37730 09-04-2004 01:53 PM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 89 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 89 | ps I forgot to say that I had a flap reconstruction too - from my chest to rebuild the neck muscles and the floor of the mouth. Scars now (almost 11 months later)are not too noticable, still some stiffness in neck from surgery and the follow-on radiation, but I am so happy to be here!
History of leukoplakia <2001-2004. SCC lateral tongue 9/03; left radical neck dissection & hemiglosectomy 10/03, T2-3,N0M0; 28 IMRT radiation completed 12/03. 30 HBO dives Oct-Nov 04 for infections and bone necrosis -mandible.
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