So following neck dissection in Feb of this year, recovery has been slow and hard. Speech and food issues primarily, total loss of interest in food and the inability to have external healthcare folk acknowledge recovery issues has been very frustrating. As of last week the right side of face (same side of all treatment/issues) more or less "fell". Local docs thinking perhaps bells palsy but with history we visited her specialist. I believe in the few days following this latest issue she appeared lethargic and withdrawn. Pet scan scheduled now for Friday, 9th. I've been reading about perineural spread and bells palsy types of symptoms. Naturally this could be anything but in always wanting to be prepared for the worst (and hoping for the best) fingers are crossed! In the years since starting this journey its been comforting to have a location such as this, even with my extremely limited postings and hiding in the wings! Just to be able to read and be aware that so many are going through the exact same issues, frustrations and anxiety-ridden things is a great comfort.

Lighthouse

Your mother is lucky to have such a devoted caregiver. Don't worry about "limited postings", part of the beauty of this OCF forum is its recognition that many people are more comfortable reading forum entries than commenting on them. Every OCF member contributes in their own way.
Bell's Palsy is scary - our son woke up on his ninth birthday with his face fallen and we were so worried and could not find out any information - it actually triggered our signing up for internet access 12 years ago. His resolved and so far so good.
Finally know that you are not alone in your frustration on the acknowledgment of the difficulty and trials of recovery issues from the medical profession. I recommend that you read this excellent portion of the main OCF web site
OCF-emotional side of cancer
If you don't have the time to read it all at once, start with the survivor subsection. Keep the faith
charm

Thanks Charm, I'll have a look at that later tonight. I'm not her caregiver and one of the most frustrating parts of this is that I live in a different country than her. Its a helpless feeling at times and full of that wonderful emotion called guilt. I had a trip planned in a couple of weeks time for the holidays, before this happened, so am definitely looking forward to that and hope that it won't be spent worrying or in hospital, and I mean that not for me - but for her. So fingers and toes are crossed for tomorrows PET, will let you know. Thanks again..