 Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 37 | Jennifer,
That's some very good advice Tammy gave you. One thing I would add is to contact the Speech Pathologists at the hospital, if you haven't done so already. They will play an important role in the coming months helping your mother learn to speak again. Feel free to also ask me any questions about laryngectomies (I had one 17 years ago) - sorry, but I'm no help on glossectomies.
A humidifier was a big help to me. You might want to get your Mom one if she doesn't already have one. Several of them can be helpful - one for the bedroom and others for any other rooms in the house where she spends time.
Your mom will probably have plenty of mucus "plugs" in her trachea following her surgery. When she's in the hospital, the nurses and respiratory therapists will suction them out but she may need a suction machine when she gets home. I had to use mine frequently for a while.
It will be tough for a while, especially at first, but as you say, it's better than the other option. Wishing the best for you and your mom.
Andrew
4x survivor
1998 - SCC of larynx
...laryngectomy, tracheotomy, radiation, caries, HBO, teeth extr, TEP
2002 - lung cancer, wedge resection
2014 - SCC of BOT, pharynx, oropharynx, HPV-, stage IV, T2N0MX, invasive, poorly differentiated
...chemo (carboplatin, taxol), dc'd due to neuropathy
2015 - SCC of palate
...Feb-April IMRT (46 x 70 Gy)
...Jan 2015 - May 2016 cetuximab 500 mg q week x 55wks
2016 - metastases to mediastinum, lungs, spleen, pancreas
...Aug-? pembrolizumab q 3 wks
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