My husband had surgery the beginning of September to remove a large tumor from the floor of mouth. The surgery took about 10 hours. They removed the tumor and a small portion of his tongue. Used skin and blood vessels from his arm to reconstruct his mouth and used skin from his leg to graft his arm. I have never been so nervous in my life. Although, the hospital staff was amazing! After surgery, was hard for me to see him so helpless and frail looking. Anyhow, his surgery went well. He was in the hospital for a week. His speech is good, so much better than I had expected and continues to improve as more of the swelling goes down. His arm and leg are healing nicely according to the doctor. The doctors have mentioned him doing radiation as part of a trial study. We are meeting with them in a couple weeks for more details on that. I am concerned about his nutrition. He can only eat pureed foods and drink liquids. He is a stubborn man so it takes convincing to get him to try new things. He drinks boost, carnation and eats pureed soups and ice cream and pudding. The doctor says he isn't too worried about it since his weight has been stable since they took out the feeding tube. He tells me everyday he is greatful I was and am there to take care of him. Not that I would want to be anywhere else.
Wife, he was diagnosed early 8/11, SCC-floor of mouth. Surgery 9/6/11, removal of cancer, part of tongue, salivary gland and lymphnodes, skin and vessels from arm to reconstruct, graft from leg to repair arm. T3N0. Radiation to start 10/11.
|