| | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) |  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Stephan, you will be fine as soon as they get you preped and ready for surgery. I can't tell you not to be nervous because you would be anyway. I been put to sleep so many times for so many things, I think of it as for every minute I am out that I get and extra month to live. LOL I know that is a dumb way to do it, but it does help me relax. You will wake up after and might not feel as bad as you thought you would. Good Luck tomorrow and I pray for the best results for you.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 21 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 21 | All of you were right, my fears were unfounded and I made it through the procedure without a hitch.
I can't thank each of you enough for the encouraging words though.
To add a little humor to the thread I thought I'd share some of my post-op antics that I was told about as I was coming out of anesthesia:
- popped my head up from a "sleep" and said "I have 350 emails to read" and then passed back out.
- popped my head up again and asked my wife if she wanted to see my happy face (a term by our three year-old that's followed by raising both eyebrows and smiling as wide as one can... then passed back out.
- popped my head up a third time and said very determinedly "I'm done with this, I'm outta here", passed back out
- the popped up one last time as they were transferring me from OR gernie to the one in my room and sang "...to the left, to the left, ...now slide" as I was being transferred
A fun time had by all.
Now I take my catheter for frequent walks and anticipate when I can say goodbye to this guest.
...and the 350 emails are still unread... I'm not even sure where they are or what made me think I had them!
Age 37, low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the upper right palate 7/15/2008, Never Used Tobacco, runner (3 marathons!), Shorin Ryu Karateka, Husband, Father of three (8,5,3)... and does this mean I can go skydiving now?
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 794 | Welcome back! I am relieved that things went so well, and I know that the staff appreciates your lightening up their day with your show!
Keep writing.
XO
Colleen--T-2N0M0 SCC dx'd 12/28/05...Hemi-maxillectomy, partial palatectomy, neck dissection 1/4/06....clear margins, neg. nodes....no radiation, no chemo....Cancer-free at 4 years!
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 681 | Stephan,
Glad you came out OK.
Your post brought back memories from the past. I was told that when I was in labor with my first child the doctor asked me what I wanted and I said "a dog." Our neighbors had a beautiful collie which was so protective of the children that he stood between them and the mother when she fussed at them.
I also asked for a pickle. This was my only pregnancy related food craving. I remember the people in the delivery room discussing ordering lunch. The baby was delivered shortly after noon so it must have been near the end and I had not eaten since the night before.
SCC stage II Partial mandibulectomy w. neck dissection- July 2005. Renal cancer w. partial nephrectomy-Jan 2004. Breast cancer discovered in routine mammogram. Successful lumpectomy, sentinal nodes clear, RT only-2008 Reconstruction of mandible w fibula free flap-Jan 09. TORS removal of begnin pappiloma from esophagus-2010. Masectomy,rt breast 2013.
Support OCF
| | | | | 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 | Stephen:
Glad everything turned out ok with your surgery. Your post made me laugh, your sense of humor is great!
I also had some odd side effects from being knocked out for outpatient surgery. I made my son stop at 4 different stores and went clothes and grocery shopping, picked up some movie rentals and couldnt forget the ice cream stand. Next day I denied the whole thing till I saw all the receipts with my signatures.
Hope you have a fast recovery so you can get back to normal.
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: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 148 | Wish you a speedy recovery Stephen.
Bill . . . SCC - originated in right tonsil, drifted into neck ( 28 lymph nodes removed - one positive ). Radical neck dissection in September 07, completed 34 radiation tx on January 4, 2008. Used Peg. Non smoker, 61, good shape, no previous health issues. Second year PET scan - "all clear".
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | All the best Stephen -- things will just get better from here.
Jeff
SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007
T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa
Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007
39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07
Complete response to treatment so far!!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | It's always easier than we think it will be. I enjoyed your lil coming out parties LOL Good luck and may you keep your sense of humor Stephen. Jim
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 212 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 212 | Glad to hear it went well Stephen. One must love the mystical comic powers we seem to get via the meds used for surgery. I'm sure you'll hear those stories repeated endlessly by your loved ones, lol.
Cancer of Tongue, SCC early Stage 1, Dx 3/13/07, partial glossectomy 4/14/07 found no residual carcinoma and a granular cell tumor with pseudo epitheliomatous hyperplasia.
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