Candy to answer some of your questions i about 2 years out from a rmt 55 at time of diagnoses the surgery part went very
well i had all my teeth removed & my trach placed the evening before the main part of my surgery approx. 10 hr.
Most people on first glance most people dont notice that i have had major surgery on my face. But at the same time some close but distant friends dont recognize me.
I in was the hospital 10 days. I was under my brothers care 6 weeks my trach was in 6 months ng 5 weeks peg 12 months.
the radiation made me weak for approx.1 year with gradual stength increase after that.
but I would keep in mind this time line is closer to a best case. hope this helps JOE


dx 5/15/09 stage 4 scc no positive nodes partial maxillectomy composit mandibulectomy fibular free flapleft neck dissection.
66gy all teeth removed surgery 7/8/09 peg placed 10/5/09 2 pets all clear 12/20/10.stage stage 2 melanoma 3/15/00