First of all,
BIG Thank you to all members for your support while I was on board.
Here are updates on my planned surgery.
Surgery went really well as expected, like I said.
Team removed the mass, did a flap reconstruction and performed neck dissection on right side only. 10 hours in total.
Healing - was relatively faster
Started- written communication in 12 hours after surgery.
Started - using iPad on a third day of surgery.
Pains- we're in full control through meds.
Swelling -was going away consistently every single day except tongue.
Stay in hospital - I was discharged on a fifth day after surgery. But was sent to nursing facility to monitor under controlled environment, I am still here. Another full week, before I go home. I personally decided not to go home until all attachments are removed. Follow the flow, get things done and then go home with no stress of attachments.
Mouth sours - are there but getting better with magic mouth wash and constant oral hygiene using salt water and zero alcohol mouth wash. I am trying everything one by one during the day time to feel fresh breath and confident feeling.
Came to nursing facility on a fifth day of surgery and today I completed fifth day here as well. a quick look at here.
Saw a team of care takers including OT, PT, swallow and speech therapist, recreational SW and many more amazing professionals behind me to restore and regain all my functions.
Swallow- started with little piece of ice, let it melt and swallow. Over all progress, one piece of ice on a first day to 20 pieces on a fifth day.
Speech- started with one little sound. On a fifth day, I can say about 10 words based on training.
I am still on a feeding tube as of writing this. Which is an up coming end to this.
Today 1/28, pain and swelling on tongue are almost zero. I have my first day after surgery, I can breath through mouth and nose. I tried different things, it worked.
Trech, feeding tube through nose and drains were attached due to reconstruction and will be removed after first post surgery visit to ENT and a plastic surgeon, which I am going to see on 1/30.
Last but not least, clock at work will resume ticking starting Monday. I don't have to go to office, but functional to play around on a laptop for 8 hours keeping myself busy until next round of treatment.
Last edited by neversmoke; 01-28-2014 11:15 PM.