Hi Stephanie,

I try not to dwell on it, otherwise I would go crazy or should I say crazier, but I wish that I had of tracked down someone that would of been able to perform my first operation without slicing my jaw and opening me up like a door.

Unfortunately, in this country up until recently most of the surgeries where a large amount of the tongue had to be removed like mine they were accessed by 'cutting and shutting' the jaw.

Now they perform them by going under the chin like yours.

Geeez I can't tell you how much drama that would have saved me had mine of been done like yours. The consequences of which I am still dealing with in a huge way. It gives me a headache just thinking about it - The IFs, BUTs and MAYBE'S...!!!


Take care

Karen

Karen-

I was told that they would determine during surgery whether or not I would have to have my jaw cut but since I was having a neck dissection, they were being very optimistic that they would not have to do it. I am very grateful that I did not have to go through that and can't imagine having one. My recovery in the hospital was long enough because I got pneumonia, so I'm glad I didn't have another thing to deal with. But anyway, I guess in my book that makes the neck dissection worth it!

THe neck dissection must never quit bothering us or at least me. I am glad they did it I guess and it is hard to see the scar tha wraps halfway around your neck. Heck it still oozes sometype of fluid that is hard to see until it dries, then it looks like dried egg white, shiny. Have to see the Dr about my neck. Something just isn't right. Getting back to the point where it hurts too much in my mouth to want to eat. HOPE NOT!!

Yeah, I was always told that because of my age that my scars would be redder and wider than most people's because of the elasticity still in my skin. This is true for the scar on my arm where they took my vein (above the flap donor site) and for my trach scar which is pretty noticeable and pink, but my neck is an itty bitty slightly pink line (and I had a bilateral). You can barely see it. My ENT is amazed that it healed up so well. Now if only this little bit of edema will go away!

Jim- go see your doctor!!! feel better!

Jim, I agree -- Time to visit the Doc again -- Same thing was happening to me, slowly getting more painful (Likely because the cancer growing was pushing other tissue to the sensitive point).

I might have to make a choice, either the cancer or the abdominal anneurysm. Hell, I have whipped both before and I can whip them together if I have to.

Yes you can!!! I agree and with an army of angels well how can you not win...

Jim, be sure you are drinking plenty of water, especially at this time of year. The Xerostomia really gets bad for me at this time of year, and when I get busy, I drink more crap (i.e. coffee and soda) and less water. I pay for it as my mouth gets drier and it burns. Maximize the water, and the burning and pain go away.

Just an idea.

Jeff, I only drink coffee in the morning about 6 cups for sure milk in the evening with a snack, and the rest of the day, I always have a bottle of water with me. Probably drink at least 5 -6 bottles of water daily. I use the biotene at least 3 4 times a day and brush 2 times with the paste. I hope you have a great Christmas for you and the family.

Karen,
I had the same thing, jaw split but part of mine removed. I know what you mean! It's a fight for me always.
They took my jawbone and found out afterward that there was no
cancer in the jawbone!!! Oh it is suffering but I am alive and OK>
So question your doctors. Sometimes I think we are sometimes an experiment unintentionally.
Bless us everyone