So the Real Journey Begins Today

Kevmosmom
Kevmosmom Member Posts: 4 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

After 3 months of questions and testing and waiting, my husband is scheduled for a modified neck dissection this morning. We have to be at the hospital at 5:45 am; of course it is only 3:30 and I am up and dressed and ready to go. Sleep? Oh no. 😟 It’s not than I am scared, I am beyond that now, just couldn’t sleep. A song from church kept playing in my head. “All my life, You have been faithful. All my life, You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.” I guess that is His was of giving me a little peace.

After a right side tonsillectomy and biopsies on the base of his tongue last week, doctors are still not able to find the spot where his cancer began. The only evidence at this time is a swollen lymph node that tested positive for HNSCC + HPV 16. Lymph node measures 3.2 cm so the oncologist said he is probably stage 1 or 2. We are expecting to be in the hospital for the next 3 days, per the surgeon. Still not sure what the follow up treatment plan will be but we are expecting radiation and chemo, at least that is what the oncologist told us a few weeks ago.

Does anyone have any advice or hints on what I should or should not expect? And what will I need for him when I bring him home. He is in very good spirits. He is a very active 67 year old so the hardest thing will be to get him to be still and recover. We have been married 44 years and this man is my life. ❤️. God bless you all and thanks.

Comments

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,528 Member
    edited April 1 #2

    Hello again, Kevmosmom, my name is Russ do you have a name you could use such as first name?

    I am with you on being up the day of the operation and ready way ahead of time, who can sleep with that on your mind?

    And you can't eat or drink before you go in so he's probably hungry and thirsty or like me when I get up my first thing is coffee.

    I am so familiar with that song and love it, so inspiring and strengthening and supporting.

    Here is a version of it done by Gracie Carr and a youth gathering, she does it well...and a wonderful group of kids and adults singing along works so well…

    Goodness of God = Gracie Carr = Hobbs = ft = Piedmont Crusade Youth Choir

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mL094N1qeM

    As far as the neck dissection they are not really that bad, I had no pain or difficulty with the dissection itself, and it healed quickly.

    Just pay attention to your doctor and hospital staff and they will treat you well and get you through this and back home again.

    I think it was a good decision to start your own topic thread for the beginning of you journey through this.

    Trust in God, pray a lot and NEGU (Never Ever Give Up)

    Wishing you the very best...

    Take Care, God Bless

    Russ

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  • MarineE5
    MarineE5 Member Posts: 1,036 Member
    edited April 1 #3

    Hello Kevmosmom,

    Russ has covered a lot of information for you. As he mentioned, listening and following the Doctors and Nurses instructions is very important. You mentioned your husband is an active 67 old, so he will probably want to start moving around as soon as possible. Since he will be having a modified neck disection, he will more than likely have drain tubes for a bit. Some people only have them for a few days, others longer. I fell into the longer group of 2 weeks. A little tip I used that a member mentioned a long time ago was to wear a loose shirt or pajama top with pockets on both sides so the drain tube bottles can rest there and still be able to move around easier.

    I made it a point to get outside even to just walk to the mailbox a few times a day, then increased my walks daily.

    Once your husband moves into treatments, his taste will change. Each person reacts to the treatments differently, as we say, some run thru them, some walk and some crawl, the main thing is to get to the finish line with them. Recovery takes about the same amount of time to feel better, but is doable.

    As Russ mentioned or someone did, please review the "Super Thread" at the top and check out the information provided by the many members that have travelled this road. Ask as many questions here as you need, that is why we are here.

    Both of you will get thru this and working as a team, it is better. As you are the Caregiver, please do not forget to take care of yourself. Caregivers are Angels with Invisible Wings.

    My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here

  • Kevmosmom
    Kevmosmom Member Posts: 4 Member
    #4

    Thanks Russ for the beautiful video. I can’t sing this song without crying, and that was before Paul got sick. 😁. My name is Joyce.

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,528 Member
    #5

    Hello and Thanks Marine E5 for all the good tips and details.

    You always have good guidance for folks and special tips like wearing a loose pocket type shirt for drain bottles.

    Good to see you in the forum.

    Take Care, God Bless

    Russ

  • wbcgaruss
    wbcgaruss Member Posts: 2,528 Member
    #6

    Joyce, thanks for sharing a first name. It is more personal than an odd user name.

    So glad you enjoyed the song. I have more to share.

    Tell Paul not to worry, just concentrate on getting through one procedure or treatment at a time and before you know it, you will be cancer free or as many doctors call it NED (No Evidence Of Disease). Some use the term "Unremarkable" when describing a clear scan; either way, cancer gone is the main thing.

    Remember God Is Your Refuge…

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEdw_Qciuqg

    Take Care, God Bless

    Russ

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