 "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 | Christine
The device that Kim mentioned is called a Doppler <sp?> they regularly use to check the blood flow.
Unfortunately, you will be requiring assistance from the nursing staff for washing/bathroom for a short time, BUT it is only temporary. With drains, drips, trache suctioning and PEG - it can be really full on.
I had a sheet of paper that read "PAN PLEASE" next to my bed so I could just hold that up when I needed it. I know how much it SUCKS- words do not describe.
Once you are able to get up to the shower you will probably be given a plastic neck collar - it is intended to cover the trache so as no water, soap, shampoo etc gets in. It justs sits around your neck over the trache and is held together by velcro.
Like so many others, I am thinking of you and will be wishing you a super speedy recovery.
Karen xx
46 yrs:
Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0
Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs
30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin,
30 x HBO
Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy
(hip bone to reconstruct jaw)
Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw
Mar'09 Debulk flap
Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
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