Mine was removed from the left side along with the neck dissection and then 2 months later I had one on the left side that was removed . I had one appear on my left cheek which was removed a few weeks later. Even lost all of my teeth for rads , chemo and then after those, Rad seed implants in my tongue which was terrible and is worse now pain wise. One day I have to put my profile in the right way. I left most things out of it. Hck tho, I am alive and smiling and kickin OC ASS. LOL

that should have been right side the 2nd time,, I am a zitz at times.

Don't know how to thank everyone enough for replying and offering such great advice. I have added points to my sig line as advised and will add as I know more. My wife has been on here too and She won't miss a Dr. appt. for anything, even when I tell her I can go by myself and be fine. I now know you shouldn't even consider going by yourself; you'll forget what was said and not ask any of the questions you think when you're already halfway home. There's so many simple things to do I was reminded of from these replies because your mind just doesn't function as sharp when your digesting all this stuff about the future.

Hi Kent:

The thing I wish I had done before my first surgery was to talk to people who had experience with trachs. To me, that was a difficult part of the surgery, but to others here on that forum they breezed through it. That was the one thing I wish I had been better prepared for.

Not sure about your hospital, but it is very helpful in most cases to have an advocate who knows the ins and outs of all your normal medications, etc, etc. there with you for the majority of the time.

You can pretty much count on having your butt exposed at least once when you aren't counting on it! Check with your hospital re internet access.

Work hard with your speech pathologist. After the surgeons have done their bit - these are the people who are going to get you eating, drinking and speaking agin. You may not feel like listening to them just yet - but it is important to get started on recovery asap.

Take the drugs. There is no special badge given to you for not taking needed pain mediation.

And, if you have a favourite blankey - have someone bring it to you in the hospital - amazing how comforting such things are.

You'll do great - awesome attitude!

Donna

Good to know your wife is right there with you. That's how my wife was and has been, won't miss an appointment with me.

kent,
welcome to the forum.
im glad to see your wife is right by your side thru this. she is going to be a lifesaver for you.
i will repeat the opinions to eat, eat, and eat some more. more is better.
you have found the right place for support and answers.

Kent

All great advice. One more suggestion:
Insist on a TSH level blood test for thyroid so you have a pre-TX baseline on what is normal. Radiation very often damages the thyroid and leaves the patient cold and weak yet because there is controversy over what is the right TSH level with labs having a 5.5, a 4.5 or the most advanced ones in tune with the 21st Century, 3.0 as the highest acceptable level, it is very very hard to get a doctor to prescribe thyroid medication without pre TX baseline. I am a personal example since before TX, I had a TSH of 1.6 and after TX it shot up to 4.3 but no doctor would help me these last two years until I discovered blood tests done by a cardiologist that I got the results from the day after finding out I had cancer so I had paid no attention to the 1.6 TSH. With that, I have finally been started on one little pill that my endocrinologist thinks will bring back both energy and warmth.
I have already noticed a major difference and my TSH level is down to 3.0 in just two months. shooting for under 2
I hope you never need the results of this pre TX test but get one just in case.
charm

Kent,
I had the free flap tongue reconstruction 3 years ago, but without chemo or rad.-Cancer free since. I will be happy to answer any questions you have about recovery and healing. I feel very blessed that there are these amazing surgeries (and surgeons) to do such unbelievable things!

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Kent,
By now you have had your surgery. I hope all went well and you will soon be on your way to rcovery from the surgery. Let us know how you are doing and keep us updated.