Well, the MRND is done and all nodes removed were cancer free- YAHOO!! Mary has done well since, just beginning solid foods, incision healing well. She has a lot of numbness from the right ear to the top of her shoulder-which should improve over the next several months according to the docs, moderate stiffness on the right side of her neck and some mild to moderate swelling of the lower portion of her jaw as the fluid tries to find a new "pathway".
She was doing well until yesterday when she had a complete meltdown as she termed it. She was very agitated, doesn't feel that she is getting in enough food, scared that things will never be "normal" again. She is expecting way too much of herself at this stage I think-and I think she had SO much pre-op anxiety that she is just crashing.
I had to put on my "nurse hat" (poor thing- I can be brutal!).
The thing that is bugging her the most is that she can't sit down to a "real meal". The RD at the hospital told her to eat 3 small meals a day and then supplement with 3 cans- one after each "meal". So she tried to eat a full bowl of cereal, or my size portion of chicken pie and of course got very frustrated when she could only take 4 or 5 bites. And, as you all can relate, she had no desire for the food, it has very little flavor. And of course, she wants her tube out for the summer! We sat for a long time yesterday and I told her to start this week with a 1/4c. of cereal or whatever, but the deal is that she had to finish it! Then she can gradually increase the amount, and if she sees progress maybe that will help her mindset.
Ughhh! I feel like I'm working blind here. I DON"T know how it is-because I haven't been through it. I was fully expecting "the crash" at some point- but I think this is the worst I've seen her. I was very honest and told her that I think she is suffering from some depression as well- understandably- and she should consider discussing this with her docs.
Sorry to ramble-just venting at my own frustration for being able to do so little!
As always- any suggestions welcome....
Liz
