I am sitting here trying to think of all the things I wished I had asked 19 years ago!

The basics are a good place to start
1). What exactly will you be doing
2) will you be doing a free flap (involves moving tissue etc into your mouth from a limb then covering that spot with a graft. (And no - I have never figured out why it is called a “free” flap!)
3). How often after the surgery will I see you (Surgeon)
4). What painkillers will I be given and for how long.
5) Do you have a list of things I can and cannot do post surgery - ie brushing teeth or showering, etc
6) who is my GO TO PERSON for questions
7) what do you recommend I use to communicate (Boogy Board, Pen/Paper - Whiteboard ?
8). Will I have a tracheostomy and if so for how long (I was not prepared for this one!)
9). How soon do I see the speech language pathologist?
10) when will the FULL post SURGERY pathology be ready to be discussed?
11). How long will I be in hospital
12). How much help will I need at home?
13). What can I do to get ready for the surgery ?
14). Will my tumour be HPV “typed”
15). What is the clinical staging of my cancer? I understand that may change after final pathology
16). What tests will be required pre snd post surgery
And so many more. I am sure others will chime in.

Donna. (Pandora99).