#1493 08-05-2003 03:56 PM | Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 41 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2003 Posts: 41 | Hey friends,
I'm still real worn out but I'm at my parents. I had my surgeries on July 25th. After about 12 hours of surgery and a week in various CU's I spent a quick few days in a regular room and was discharged on Monday.
The surgeries I had included a partial-glossectomy of 40% of my tongue, a right side neck dissection and a free flap reconstruction. I awoke to find a nasal feeding tube instead of a PEG and a traych. I was spared the skin graph from leg to arm since they could close the wound on my arm with what remained.
So far I think I may have surprised even my doctors. When I was discharged I walked out of the hospital with only the nasal feeding tube in place. The swelling has gone done a great deal. I still need to be fed through the nasal tube for awhile but things are going very well.
The only question that has not yet been answered for me is what are the results of the pathology report from my neck dissection. All things considered its a frustration I'm almost willing to deal with.
Thanks for all your prayers and positive thoughts. I've some free time on my hands while I recoup so I'll be able to say extra parayers for all my friends here.
Peace,
Fr. Mike
Fr. Mike
SCC on the base of tongue, right side. T2 N1 M0. July 25, 2003 partial (40%) glossectomy, forearm flap reconstruction, right side neck disection.
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#1494 08-05-2003 04:40 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 | Fr. Mike, it is wonderful to hear from you, and that you are doing so very well. I have no doubt that path report will be negative. I suspect the nasal feeding tube is a whole lot less comfortable than a PEG, so I hope you won't need it for very long. Again, it is great to hear such good news from you. Thank you for using your limited energy to let us know how you are doing.
Joanna | | |
#1495 08-05-2003 06:50 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Hi Fr. Mike,
It's great to have you back among us. It sounds like your surgery went well. Skin grafts from the leg can be a pain so it's great that you were spared that.
I truly believe that God looks after His children and without my faith, I would have never gotten through this. He answered so many of my prayers during the ordeal. The scriptures tell us to be in prayer about ALL things and I put it to the test and it worked for me.
His strength IS perfect.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
________________________________________________________
"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#1496 08-06-2003 01:33 AM | | Anonymous Unregistered | | Anonymous Unregistered
| Fr Mike,
Glad to hear you are doing so well....don't you just love to surprise the doctors? Keep it up, makes them really wonder!!!
You keep on recuperating and as you have your extra time we do appreciate ALL of the good words you put in for us.
Dinah | | |
#1497 08-06-2003 10:35 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 40 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 40 | Hello Fr. Mike, So glad to hear that all went well for you and that you walked out of the hospital! Good for you! I love to hear that. And, where else but mom and dad's home to get some TLC...Take Care and God Bless...XoX Flo Waiting to hear more positive news from you Fr. Mike! 
Caregiver for my loving Sister Linda 37, Advanced Recurrence SCC of the Head and Neck. 2003
Diag. June 2000 with Tongue Cancer in Stage 3/Treatment RAD
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#1498 08-06-2003 12:58 PM | Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 148 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2003 Posts: 148 | Hooray Father Mike! Let mom and dad fuss over you and keep us up to date on your progress. I knew you'd do well. Bet you can't wait to lose that ng tube. Mine came out on day three when the aide got it caught in something... OUCH!
Lisa
Lisa
SCC of Tongue Stage 1 (T1,N0,M0)
partial glossectomy,modified neck dissection 4/14/03
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#1499 08-06-2003 06:14 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 | Father Mike, glad you came through this ok. Sounds a lot like my surgery, except maybe I had less tongue removed and they took the flap from a different place, actually just extended the incision from the neck dissection. Had the NG tube as well, but docs and hospital insisted I start eating soft foods like soup, jello, ice cream the second day after surgery. Wanted me to be able to eat on my own by the time I got out of the hospital. In retrospect, maybe they rushed it a bit since the flap wound up not working out. All is fine now though. Just take your time recovering.
Otherwise, take care, enjoy the attention of your mom and dad, one of the few times we can get away with being the little kid again.
God Bless
Bob S.
SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.
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