 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Congratulations to both of you! The first major milestone...done.
He's probably not going to be too thrilled at much of anything for a while. If you like, tell him use it or lose it. If the swallow isn't evaluated and exercises put in place as soon as possible, he may lose the ability to swallow and live on a tube.
Most importantly, enjoy the moment. This is the first big breather. Be aware that this time is the "quietest" time and the mind could be unleashed into areas that don't need to be traveled. The excitement and activity abruptly ends. Occupy that space with books, movies, together time...whatever it takes.
Congratulations again!
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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