Husband's Surgery - Ugh.... UPDATE

kimmygarland
kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
edited March 2012 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I think it's official - I've lost my mind. I came on to give an update on Bob, my husband's surgery on a post I would have sworn I made earlier in the week. I can't find it anywhere. Weird. So I suppose I will start over.

He had his surgery Monday morning. It went about 6 hours and they found more cancer than they expected. To quote the surgeon "it infiltrated into the tissue up to the skull base". Doc cut as much as he could up to tissue of skull base. He could not see any remaining cancer but expects to see it on microscopic exam (biopsy). So.... prior to surgery chemo and radiation were a question mark. They are no longer a question mark and will be a definite after surgery recovery. After removing the cancer he then formed a flap from chest muscle. He has a large neck and a large chest incision, as well as a trach, multiple drains, all that lovely stuff.

He is having a very difficult recovery. Surgery was Monday, this is Thursday night and he is still in ICU. His kidney's are having a tough time bouncing back, and he is having big nausea troubles. (They are trying everything in the world for his nausea) His surgical wounds are looking good and the flap is sound at this point. Overall docs are saying his recovery is getting on track - but he had a rough first couple of days. Today was first day he sat up in a chair. He sat there for an hour - which I thought was too long, but what do I know, lol. His labs are still a little wonky due to the kidney's still coming back, and his blood pressure has been a bit unsteady. They are giving him lots of extra fluids and that is helping.

Well, I have written a novel here... but I know you all understand. I am shaken to the core, as we went into this thinking we were dealing with a very small tumor and find there is more. But doc says he still thinks they can get it with chemo and rads. My fear is that my husband's poor body is going to be so beat up after the surgery, and then to hit it with the chemo and rads, well, it just scares the krap out of me.

He has a decent attitude at the moment for someone who can't talk, can hardly move and is nauseaus all the time. Please send good thoughts and prayers for his continued recovery and the journey that we have ahead of us. Doc says about 6 weeks recovery time before chemo and rads. Can't wait too long, as the monster is lurking there.

I hate cancer.

Comments

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #2
    me, too
    Kimmy, I've been watching for a post from you on how things are going.

    I'm sorry Bob has had such a rough time since surgery and that the news was not better. Was hoping for a small, encapsulated something.

    You are in my thoughts as prayers, as always.

    Hugs.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    Hi Kimmy

    Thanks for the up-date on Bob, I know it looks bad but stay positive, I am praying that his immune system can now take over and get rid of what was left. I don’t know why but for some reason (God I believe) that is what happened to me, anything is possible.

    God bless and keep you both
    Hondo
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #4
    Decent Attitude
    Hi Kimmy, for Bob to have attitude at all is amazing. He'll definitely feel better in a couple of weeks. That's a lot of work they did on him. Nothing to do now buy bear down with Bob and work for successful chemo and rads. His body will heal a lot once the beast is gone. LongTerm and Hondo have been there, and they're still here. I'm thinking of you both every day for the next six weeks.

    best, Hal
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #5
    this is where he needs to be
    I really have been where he's at. It gets better. Last year I thought if I could just live long enough to sit out on my porch one day in good weather how wonderful that would be. There have been about 400 days since I had that thought. I'm still here, and I'm now thinking they may have cured me. Nothing was pleasant about all the treatments, and certainly the first few weeks after the surgery were unpleasant, but things got better. And they will get better for you two, also.

    Pat
  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570 Member
    #6
    Cancer Hater Too
    Hey Kimmy, I'm very sorry to hear about the bad surprise. It's a long rough road ahead, but with a positive attitude, and family support, Bob will come out on the other end a victor. I say this a lot, but for me it has been absolutely true, and that is take recovery and treatment one day, but sometimes one second, hour, etc at a time; and also the mantra that has always pumped me up and gotten, and still gets me thru the tough times (what, tough times with cancer treatment....), is "I can do this (whatever the this at the moment may be),"; I've been saying it for the past 11 1/2 years. I don't know if it helps to know, but last June my left pec was drafted into service to provide some healthy tissue for my neck when I had a larynjectomy, and tracheotomy (tumor at the entrance of my trach). So, now when I flex my chest, I exhibit an impressive rock hard buldging neck muscle, worthy of a Muscle and Fitness photo shoot. Actually, the muscle has decreased in size over time, and will continue to do so. It is a scarey situation, no doubt, but hang tough and hit the ground running with the treatment. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You and Bob are not alone.

    PATRICK
  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #7
    patricke said:

    Cancer Hater Too
    Hey Kimmy, I'm very sorry to hear about the bad surprise. It's a long rough road ahead, but with a positive attitude, and family support, Bob will come out on the other end a victor. I say this a lot, but for me it has been absolutely true, and that is take recovery and treatment one day, but sometimes one second, hour, etc at a time; and also the mantra that has always pumped me up and gotten, and still gets me thru the tough times (what, tough times with cancer treatment....), is "I can do this (whatever the this at the moment may be),"; I've been saying it for the past 11 1/2 years. I don't know if it helps to know, but last June my left pec was drafted into service to provide some healthy tissue for my neck when I had a larynjectomy, and tracheotomy (tumor at the entrance of my trach). So, now when I flex my chest, I exhibit an impressive rock hard buldging neck muscle, worthy of a Muscle and Fitness photo shoot. Actually, the muscle has decreased in size over time, and will continue to do so. It is a scarey situation, no doubt, but hang tough and hit the ground running with the treatment. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You and Bob are not alone.

    PATRICK

    Thanks!
    Today was a better day. They moved him to a regular room, out of ICU. I was surprised, but apparently his labs have improved and everything is looking up. He sat in a chair for almost 2 hours. Tomorrow's big activity will be a short walk.

    Along with this physical improvement is also coming more mental clarity. He is coming to realize what he will be facing in the next few months and seems afraid (of course). I think as he recovers he'll become more positive, as that is his nature. I know he must be scared to death.

    One step at a time, one day at a time....
  • wifeforlife
    wifeforlife Member Posts: 189
    #8
    kimmygarland said:

    Thanks!
    Today was a better day. They moved him to a regular room, out of ICU. I was surprised, but apparently his labs have improved and everything is looking up. He sat in a chair for almost 2 hours. Tomorrow's big activity will be a short walk.

    Along with this physical improvement is also coming more mental clarity. He is coming to realize what he will be facing in the next few months and seems afraid (of course). I think as he recovers he'll become more positive, as that is his nature. I know he must be scared to death.

    One step at a time, one day at a time....

    one day or step at a time
    I know it's hard to follow.. and easier for me to sy than you to do ... but you hav eot enjoy each small step and not look too far down the road. Focus on each step. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Wife

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