Surgery set for Feb. 19.......Doc doesn`t know if he can do anymore reconstruction, since last graft failed and not knowing if there are enough blood vessels left in neck from radiation to attach a graft.......may have a gaping hole forever......also losing our Plastic Surgeon, other than that, I`m ready for surgery number 6.!!!

Thank you so much for the update, Packer. Several of us have been talking behind your back, wondering how you are. Count on lots of positive energy directed at Maine on the 19th!
Joanna

Hang in there Packer...every time you get knocked down, you get up like Brent Favre and keep up the fight. You are one tough dude. We are all pulling for you.

Danny G.

Packer, I really admire your strength it really makes me think that there is always someone out there that has it a little harder than you do. I guess that keeps me going as a caregiver to my husband Dan, I hope your surgery goes well and think you are a very brave person. I know your family on this site will be behind you all the way. I also know you must have a very caring family standing with you through all of this. I will be praying for you please keep all of updated on your progress when you can.

Packer,

I can't add much to what has already been said, but you hang in there and plaese know that we are all thinking of you, and sending prayers and good thoughts your way.

Take care,
Dinah

Thanks to everyone for thoughts and prayers....to the best of our calculations, I`ve already had about 40 hrs of surgery since Sept 2001....I`ll be in Boston for surgery, at Lahey Clinic...so please send prayers in that general direction...I`ve already had a good bit of my body moved to my face, lets hope they can find a bit more to move!!!

Packer, Just wanted to add my prayers and best wishes. We are all in this together. Best of luck for a safe a quick recovery. LM

Packer,
Just adding my good wishes and sending positive energy your way. You are one tough dude. Hang in there and keep fighting. We're with you all the way.
Rosie

Packer,
We are with you in our thoughts and prayers.
Meredtih and John

Hi, I knew I was not the only one wondering what you were doing up there in Maine! What surgery are you having, if no reconstruction? Is the hole filling in at all by itself? I had to wait for some of my reconstruction because my surgeon said lets see what nature does for us for awhile, that way there is less wear and tear on you on the table. I grew a lot of tissue in my mouth all by myself. The blood vessels are a problem. My right side was original operation, so they used the left side for this last operation. I have scars down both sides now. They were moving an artery and tissue. After the first flap I had at the beginning failed I have a thing for failure and I let my Doctors know it. I said if any thing looks shakey get out! I do not care if I wake up and you did little or nothing. I must have gotten to them, I got off the elevator to pre -op and there stood my entire plastic surgery team. Oh crap I thought, They are worried too. They stayed with me getting in the nurses way and kept saying no one touch her left arm. I had two ansthesiests too. Then my ENT comes in, he always come in right before surgery and holds my hand and pats me and says all will be good. This whole crowd then proceeds to the operating room. I do not like to be awake at this point . The big operations the wheel me in awake the smaller ones I am out before we get there. Wonder if there is a reason for this. Anyway Packer, do not ggive up on their fixing this hole. I have seen some things lately about them using artifical skin, maybe later they will try something like that with you.