| | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Sharon, how is your brother doing after going thru all of what he did? Does he seem ok with it or has his mental state changed. Keep an eye on that so you can keep on the happy side if you can. It will work on a mind if you let it. Keep us up to date and good luck to both of you.... Jim
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 10 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 10 | Hi Jim - I just got home from the hospital. It was really hard and frustrating for him because he couldn't talk and was trying so hard!!! I was encouraging him to write but he was still trying to talk:( It was really sad for me to watch. He was also restrained because he was pulling out the tubes but he said he didn't know he did it and said sorry. I know it's so hard for him right now. They plan to move him out of ICU in a day or two. Thanks so much for checking in...
Sharon - Caregiver of brother age 49 Stage IV
DX June 2009 with oral cavity carcinoma-scc
Correct DX is t3n2cmx
Surgery scheduled for 8/4/2009
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 10 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 10 | O...I'm sure he's being tested mentally right now...I think anybody would be going through this.
Sharon - Caregiver of brother age 49 Stage IV
DX June 2009 with oral cavity carcinoma-scc
Correct DX is t3n2cmx
Surgery scheduled for 8/4/2009
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 90 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 90 | Hi Sharon, Glad to hear the surgery piece is over. The recovery is tough and it's tough to watch. My husband had a tough time not talking and not being able to swallow his saliva. He didn't want anyone around him. I came anyway and did his mouth care.I didn't talk much to him since he got more frustrated and taught myself to knit while sitting there for 2 weeks. He wrote notes but got tired of writing everything down. When you are with him, ask them to take the restraints off. He will be less confused once all of the anesthesia is out of his system. The pain meds can make you loopy too. I had to ask them to give him some ativan since he was quite anxious with the mucous in his throat and not being able to swallow, he felt like he was choking.
best of luck, keep us posted,
caregiver to spouse, 55 yrs, dx 9/09 SCC BOT, T2N0,nonsmoker, nondrinker, HPV 16+ ,Lt hemiglossectomy, lt modified radical neck dissection, lt tonsillectomy,PEG 11/08 removed 2/09, 30IMRT, CT neg 4/09, neg CT 10/09
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