 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Michele, Ive been thru this type of surgery. Its a big one. Im so sorry you have to go thru this so soon after finishing with radiation. All I can tell you to prepare is to get your affairs in order. This way your husband will be able to take care of everything while you are in the hospital and recovering. It will be several months before you will bounce back from this. You will be in the hospital for at least a week so be ready for that. Line up friends and family members who can help you with household chores.
Specify that you want a possey muir valve if the docs say you will get a trach. That way you will be able to talk with it in with ease. Make sure you tell every single person you come in contact with about the specific type of trach.
If you can think of any questions i can help you with, please send me a PM.
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  | 
