Hi Everyone! and Happy New Radio/Chemo/Cancer Free Year to you all!
Well, Yesterday I did it...after much encouragement from my brothers and sisters in arms ...er...tongues (hehe) on here, I felt confident enough to give the radiotherapy my best shot. Today I had my second day (I can hear the loud "HA thats NOTHING!!'s" from those of you who have been through so much more than me and are complaining far less and who are not nearly afraid as I am...you are my heroes!)
I have a couple of questions some of you may be able to help me with...my tongue still feels like i have a golf ball in my mouth, and my neck (where I had the disection and 34 nodes removed)is still really tight and hard, as is my skin graft (on my wrist)
ok I had my op on nov 19th (07) and got the old "how long is a piece of string" answer when asking how long this would all be swollen for? Can anyone tell me...is it likely to go down anymore?(probably not during radio I realise) but it is REALLY annoying as i have to "get it going"in the morning and I sound like Marlon Brando for a good two hours!(maybe thats my new career..Gangster! wheeee!) I am doing all my tongue stretching and poking excersises etc but the golf ball remains! OK next question...has anyone had their flap "trimmed down" and if so, what is this like? Is it a hospital stay, a dental thing...do they laser it...slice it like ham (eww eek), take it off a bit at a time, or do they just say "well you are lucky to be alive" too bad(which ok..is true) One thing my drs all seem to have forgotten..I WAS A SINGER... it is rare for an Aussie to have remained fully employed well into my 45th year. Im not after fame and fortune...Im just a regular musician and i have no idea if i will ever be one again. In fact when the cancer was diagnosed I was forced to cancel $7000 worth of booked gigs over Xmas and the New year (ouch) Luckily my husband has an army pension or we would both be on the street.. I believe I will sing again as I can still pitch (I also play piano ...when i was well.. my husband Kim, who plays guitar, was able to join me) We worked on Ferries, Cruise Ships and private parties etc until only ONE surgeon calmly and coldy said "you're singing career is over" Personally...I dont think he had the right to make that judgement. Im not Christina aguelirra (sp?) we just want to be able to make a few extra bucks and have fun...a slight lisp wont even be noticed at the level we work...BUT...that gets back to me question...is this as good as it gets or can they do more? I am open. I am told they got all of my cancer (Scc) during the surgery and are doing radio 'just in case' there is any they cant see that is still lurking...so can anyone help me?...i have no idea of the future of my tongue...or myself. What this rather cold professor didnt seem to get was...this is what I have been doing for the last 25 YEARS...this is who I was...his sentence took less than 10 seconds..I think I am still in shock. any answers or even guesses would be appreciated. thanks everyone. Sorry to be sounding so down at the start of the year when i know i should be more hopeful. i think im just tired of it all and tired of not knowing what tomorrow 'might' (not will) bring...not even a vague idea. Lyn