| | Joined: May 2010 Posts: 2 Member | OP  Member
Joined: May 2010 Posts: 2 | Thank you all for responding so graciously to my mother's post asking whether she should fight this cancer or not.
You were all correct, she is very spunky and she decided to go ahead with the surgery. Luckily, the consult from Hopkins, her alma mater, came through before surgery saying that they agreed with her treatment. Also we managed to talk with a co-worker's husband who had had the surgery 9 years ago which gave her more confidence that it was survivable.
Surgery went very smoothly, she lost only 2 teeth and they got clear margins. She came home 2 days later (she lives alone but the 3 of us children live nearby and look in frequently). She just had the packing removed yesterday and is feeling well and looking forward to being able to eat all foods again.
We don't know yet about her singing voice but her speaking sounds the same and I presume the slight lisp she has will go away as she gets used to the obturator.
Now she is afraid of having to take the obturator out herself but I'm sure she will learn with practice.
We all feel very blessed and your posts helped a great deal.
Thank you
Last edited by granianni; 06-17-2010 03:58 PM.
My mom:
Laser 2/2008 dysplasia only
Dx 12/2009 needs Tx
Laser & Dx SCC moderately invasive 5/2010
Consult w/ Hopkins 6/3/2010 concur w/Tx
Tx 6/8/2010 Surgery, partial maxillectomy, 2 teeth removed
Prothesis- obturator
Smoked, quit 35+ yrs. ago, lite drinker, 86 yrs. old
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 45 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2010 Posts: 45 | Thank you for updating us on how your mother is doing. She sounds like a wonderful lady who, when she has an opinion, states it.
She is blessed to have her family close but it sounds like she could take on just about any challenge and be the victor!
Hoping that she continues to improve and sings like a bird for many years.
2002 - SCC - T1N0M0 - ever vigilant
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Thanks for the update. Im so glad your mother decided to go ahead with the surgery. Sounds like she is recovering at a very fast pace. Your mom is a lucky lady to have raised you to be such a wonderful daughter. Its always so nice to hear when things work out so well for a patient. Im sure she will be back to herself and singing up a storm very soon. Best of luck to your mom and the rest of your family 
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 126 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 126 | Thanks for the post. Great to hear that she is home and doing well. Yes, it is a little scarry at first. I would not look at the hole or even put my tongue up there to investigate for the longest time. I did quickly learn how to take the obturator out and always looked forward to taking it out at night. One thing that they did not stress enough, was to do mouth exercises. It is a must. Within three to four weeks I could not open my mouth wide enough to get the obturator in and out easily. Then I began getting scared. They ordered me a Thera-bite and it started improving. Feel free to send a message if you have questions,
Sharon, 57; Hard Palate; T1, High Grade, DX 6-12-09, Surgery, maxillectomy 7-14-09, 33 RT (9-2-09 to 10-19-09); Prothesis (obturator). None smoker, non drinker.
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