Well, the big day is at hand, tomorrow at 0630, I'm due at the SurgiCenter for my neck dissection and hemiglossectomy. I can hardly contain my excitement. (NOT) I'll be holding on to the hands of all the good folks on this board who have given me advice and encouragement through the diagnosis and waiting periods. Thanks again, everybody, you have all been a lifeline in an uncertain sea.

Andrea

Andrea, best to you and try to keep remembering that, no matter how tough things seem to be as you make your way, they WILL get better.

Keeping you in my thoughts,
Anita

Andrea,

Wishing you the best. I second what Anita said, things will get better.

Melissa

Wishing you the best possible outcome as you start your treatment Andrea. Remember to measure your progress in weeks not days. There are no shortcuts to your recovery time. No matter how bad it seems at times remember "You Will Get Better"

Best of luck tomorrow!!!!

Danny Boy

Update: Stargate Boston
Done with the surgery, I am now back at home with my husband and dog (Andy says "good, you put them in the right order this time!"). The dog doesn't look too much the worse for wear from my absence, but Andy's looking a little dragged out. He works nights and spend his days running between Salem and Boston and Chelsea "seeing to things". What a great man I married 35 years ago. Think I'll keep him. The surgery went well, biopsy on the right was clear to microscopic exam, they sent it off anyway. Nodes on the left look clear, ditto on the sendoff on them. Nasotracheal intubation, tube out the next day, dobhoff (teeny-tiny) feeding tube down the other nostril (clogged and pulled the next day) now swallowing Haagen Dasz Chocolate with ease (life is good!). Doc used dermabond for the biopsy incision, no sutures, drain and sutures in the left, drain out on the 6th, then foley out and home. Yipee!! I still look like myself, I was hoping for a little face lift, he said that would cost extra (just kidding). (Didn't get the tummy tuck either, D#$n-it. Oh well. Follow up in two weeks, then hopefully back to gainful employment. There are only so many computer games on the market these days, and I am going through books like hotcakes. The decision about radiation will have to wait until the check-up. I am stocking up on good luck charms just in case!!
Many many thanks to the good folks on the OCF who held my hand through the surgery every bit as much as my excellent doctors and nurses did. You guys give us the courage, the medical staff gives us the care. As the song goes, "you can't have one without the other"
Blessings on the whole lot of you.
Andrea

Andrea, You sound like you're doing great. Enjoy lots of Haagen Dasz just in case they tell you you do have to have rad. Its a medical precaution...

Nelie

Andrea,

Glad to hear you're progressing so well. And yes, this is one of those times when you need ice cream at the base of your food pyramid. :p

Hope you don't end up having to have radiation -- but if you do, please keep us posted and you'll find lots of help.

Cathy