Funny how opinions differ David.having a neck dissection makes perfect sense to me ,but i expect thats because rob had one and so do most patients in the uk.It seems fairly logical that the lymph glands should be thoroughly examined and sent for pathology if the primary is quite advanced,and really the neck dissection was a breeze compared to everything else,three days in hospital and back at work after ten.I do however worry about surgery on irradiated skin the healing process is so much harder with fragile tissue.Still i suppose its horses for courses,and as rob already had a massive secondary in his parotid gland a neck dissection was a no brainer.I wonder perhaps if we all tend to lend our opinion to the treatment we chose,especially if it worked!!

liz

I had to laugh at the neck dissection being a breeze comment and beg to differ. Experience one neck cramp and get back to me on that one, ok? Or the loss of movement of the lower lip, feeling and movement to one side of your tongue...all of these can be side effects (of which I suffer from them all) and are in no way a "breeze". They are in fact life altering.

I was however glad to have one done as they did find a few nodes with signs of cancer even after going through chemo and radx.

Elizabeth, I was 33 at time of diagnosis and have gone through much of what you are about to experience, although I don't have your type of cancer. I think you made a good choice with MD Anderson, 2nd opinions are smart, but you can't get better care really. Don't let this stuff scare you, you can do this! I've had the whole right side of my jaw replace, neck dissection...the works, if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. I'm also on facebook, www.facebook.com/eric.statler, I love facebook! and recommend it to help keep people updated.

Good luck and keep breathing!

Eric

Liz,

I'm sure everyone promotes the type of treatment they rec'd especially when it works but I also have read hundreds and hundreds of negative posts re ND's dealing with post surgery complications some posting years after their surgery about neck cramps, stiffness and life altering complications. So when I'm told by Moffitt, one of the top 10 CCC's in the U.S. and by one of the county's leading RO's that (in my case) he recommends the concurrent radiation/chemo first and no ND knowing that 3 doctors before him did recommend a ND and he tells me that Moffitt's experience has shown that the patient fares better with this approach and couple that with all the negative posts of people that did have one, I try to tell people my story and suggest they should get a 2nd opinion by a CCC. In Elizabeth's case she had already had multiple opinions and has been seen by a CCC but I still felt I needed to share my thoughts.

Hi Elizabeth and welcome. Wow....an oncology nurse? That just shows you never know what's going to happen. I bet it's nice to really have an understanding of what the docs are saying to you and understanding those darn pathology reports!!!

I'm sure you have knowledge, we will provide the support. I'm 29 also, minus the 3 kids:) I just have the husband.

How are you doing with the chemo?

Liz,, whatever I agree with you on this one too. I had it and it wasn't all that bad compared to everything else I have had. Yep, it was a breeze compared. Try an aneurysm guys and see what the real stuff can be like. They cut your stomache muscles and when you try to sit up or something that moves the stomache. you think you might end up in 2 pieces. But I can handle that too. LOL with tears at times.

IMO, David's posts recommending getting several opinions from CCCs, if someone hasn't already, for anyone starting on this crappy journey are probably one of the best pieces of advice anyone could get.

I sure wish I had of got more than 2.

Best wishes Elizabeth with all your appointments.

Karen

The Nissen fundiplication on your esophagus is no walk in the park either. In fact it might be worse. They wrap 1/3 of your stomache around your esophagus and believe me, I still feel that thing and this surgery was done in 1996. A lifetime of Zantac and Mylanta for me.

Elizabeth, I had so many opinions they confused each other, The Oncologist I saw 1st at A Hospital in Wheeling , WVa was the one that had it right from the get go.After him I was sent to West Virginia University Hospital, then I was went to Ohio State James Comp. Cancer center. I had a couple of surgeries there but was told I didn't need chemo or rads because OSU got it all. The Oncologist from Wheeling Hosp, would call OSU and argue wuth him to give me the rads and chemo. Finally OSU said I had Cancer back and operated on me 2 more times then told me I need rads and chemo. LOL The Dr at OSU dsaid I suppose you want that Dr from wheeling to do what else you need. Hell yes I did, I had to have my teeth removed , I had a fortune in thise babies, and then after that I had the rads and chemo and was treated agressivley. I had Rad seed implants in my tongue or what is left of it. I was supposed to be in LaLa land for 3 days which turned into 7 days.Was readied for a rest home to die until I woke up the day before transfer. Dr was sitting by my bed when I opened my eyes and he siad, Jim, you are my mis=racle patient and have been his and the surgeons buddy since. Tell me to shut up will ya? I got carried away,, sorry Elizabeth. My daughter is the charge nurse in ouy heart unit and I have a couple more nurses in the family
too.

Dear Elizabeth:
I'm sorry you have to join our support group, but members on this site will do their best to help you on your journey to get well.
I am hesitant to mention this as I don't want to scare you, but since you're being treated by one of the best (Anderson, Texas) and you'r a nurse, I feel more comfortable relating this to you.
Last month at our Support Group, a gentlemen was there that had cancer in his Salivary Gland. He was treated at Georgetown Hospital, DC and Cyberknife. His left side of his face was paralyzed, and he was deaf in left ear. He was extremely bitter, so no one engaged him in conversation too much. I'm mentioning this as to warn you to ask as many questions as possible about what COULD go wrong with the operation.

Wishing you the best.
Sandyst

[quote]A breeze COMPARED TO EVERYTHING ELSE [/quote]