Hello all,

So spent all day yesterday in the whirlwind called pre-op.The plan seems "simple" enough...basically repeat the surgery from 19 years ago. Remove my left arm implant and and replace with a fore arm or thigh flap and hope for the best that the margins around my "good" tongue are fine. No "current" plans for RADS at this time (I am praying). Another PEG and TRAC....may be less hospital time as techniques have improved. As it turns out the mystery of how the SCC got on my implant is now x 2 as another survivor of 15 years exact same deal and same history post -op has been found to have SCC on the implant. Guess the research department needs to check this out! More to follow...no surgery date for just over 2 weeks.Thanks for the support....

Cool, maybe you'll get matching flaps! Right and left!

Wow, sorry that you'll have to deal with this again, but if the previous one lasted for 19 years, another 19 isn't so bad.

I hope your surgery goes well. Maybe they'll choose to supplement the surgery with some extra treatments. In my case, I had some radiation to go with my glossectomy and I was one of the lucky ones that didn't have a particularly tough time with the rads. There are many folks hanging around here that went through radiation and/or chemo and are doing well, so it's not the end of the world if you end up needing a little extra. But I wish you luck with the process - maybe this time it will be an even smaller surgery.

Thx fellow Canuk! Yes...as you can likely figure i just want this done and over....I live on a lake and Paddle,kayak etc and so on so like you....bring on spring and lets get going!

Sounds like a plan.

Keep us informed:)


Maureen

Definitely let us know how things go.... and good luck!

Hi Everyone! It has been a while but frankly I am just slowly starting to feel like going on line or for that matter do much of anything but get some energy back. Briefly....10 hours of surgery march 24th....8 days in hospital....post surgery had some issues they had to watch such as BP waaay over 200 on the top side. Was able to come home Easter Sunday. IDENTICAL surgery to 19 years ago except the free flap was taken from my thigh. Walking is very difficult and physio will begin soon. Best news of all...pathology from numerous perspectives indicates NO rads at this time! The doc made me a deal that if path results were OK....the PEG came out...and it did....eating is a challenge but we will just keep moving ahead! Down about 15 pounds....need to work on this ASAP. So here is what I need help on....this is NOT the same as 19 years ago....recovery is faster but very intense...the nerves in my jaw and near my ear are like needles...any ideas on pain control.....my lips and inside my mouth are incredibly dry....I just cant get relief....ideas....more to follow....return to plastic surgeon this week. Thanks for all your support...

Gabapentin is very good for nerve pain. Its prescription medicine which comes in pill or liquid form if you have trouble swallowing pills.

Rinsing your mouth a few times per day with a mixture of 16 oz warm water, 2 tsp baking soda and 2 tsp salt. If it burns, decrease the salt or omit it, but try to manage with some salt in the mixture. This will help with the ph balance in your mouth as was as help with healing. Any lip balm you like should help with your lips. Personally, I prefer Burts Bees rejuvenating lip balm. Keeping a water bottle handy and taking small sips helps too. Many have tried gum or lozenges with xylitol. I think one kind is called quench. Its probably sold at most pharmacies.

Best wishes with yoru continued recovery.

[quote=ChristineB]Rinsing your mouth a few times per day with a mixture of 16 oz warm water, 2 tsp baking soda and 2 tsp salt. If it burns, decrease the salt or omit it, but try to manage with some salt in the mixture. This will help with the ph balance in your mouth as was as help with healing. [/quote]My RO gave me the following formulas:
Mix 2/3 cup hydrogen peroxide plus � cup warm water,
or mix � teaspoon salt + 1 teaspoon baking soda + 1 quart water. (different than formula in previous post)

He said to rinse, swish, or gargle 20 to 30 times daily. I also use the salt/baking soda/water mixture with a foam brush to brush all reachable surfaces several times daily. HTH

Thanks, Christine, I will mix a batch of your formula and try it after finishing my current batch.

Excellent info...thank you!

Andrew, since none of us here are medical professionals, I advise you to follow the mixtures your doctor gave you. They know best and after I read your post I think the measurements I posted should be 1 tsp instead of 2. Im very sorry, its been a long time since I used that mixture.

No problem, Christine. I will meet again with my RO tomorrow and will ask him if it's OK to use a stronger mixture than the formula he gave me.

Saw the RO today and asked if I could strengthen the mixture by doubling the amount of salt and baking soda. RO had no problem with that.