The surgery, hospital time and recovery are very long but the results are amazing. For most of us who have had this reconstruction the worst part has been the long slow recovery to full use of the leg and complete reduction of swelling in the foot. On a practical level I recommend Crocs with thick socks as they cushion the foot, allow for swelling and are easily removed when you are not walking. I found that while using the walker it was easier to hold my leg up a little and hop on the good leg while using the walker for balance. Walking with a cane and after without was difficult for a while in parking garages as the floor sloped.

It is good that you are going to a rehab facility. While it is not as comfortable as home, it may be easier on all than having family members fixing food as your eating abilities improve and and running to the door for the various therapy specialists and visiting nurses.

For comfort, use as many pillows as possilbe to make yourself comfortable and elevate your leg. You may find that the soft "beanie baby" type or little baby/travel pillows are good for tucking here and there. I found that a lapboard was useful for writing and holding reading material and for use as a lap tray. Some have compartments to hold pens,etc. Several light blankets such as the drugstore travel type are better than heavy ones. Also when you get home make sure that you have a phone handy for a while so you don't have to get up for that.

My recovery nest was a two seater couch with full ottoman in my computer room. My husband set up a small eating station on the 2 drawer file cabinet with a picnic holder for disposable cups, silverware, napkins, small plates, sugar, etc. and left me with small apple sauces, water and other drinks. This gave me some independence until I was able to get around the kitchen on my own. (I was upstairs and found it tiring to go up and down for every meal and did not always have someone at home to help me between meals.) I used a skinny covered box meant to hold socks for holding medicines. This kept them organized and handy - nothing to drop where it would be difficult to reach. I was able to rest comfortably and did not need constant care.


SCC stage II Partial mandibulectomy w. neck dissection- July 2005. Renal cancer w. partial nephrectomy-Jan 2004. Breast cancer discovered in routine mammogram. Successful lumpectomy, sentinal nodes clear, RT only-2008 Reconstruction of mandible w fibula free flap-Jan 09. TORS removal of begnin pappiloma from esophagus-2010. Masectomy,rt breast 2013.
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