"It is especially difficult with the type of surgery for H&N because we often can't speak in the hospital. I was exhausted trying to communicate my needs via writing."

Well yes, when the patient is not capable of talking, making decisions, or deciphering what is happening..it is a scary proposition. And add to that the patient not remembering what has happened or how they felt even an hour before...whew.. Of course the medical personnel are trained to talk to the patient and my mother would answer their questions in a very lucid manner..problem was..her answers were totally different than what had transpired and we would have to correct her every time.

We were exhausted trying to keep everyone straight on what the true story was.