Post Op Blues

I am sorry, Tonita. First, if you want results sooner, call your doctor and ask. It can't hurt. Waiting for results is the worst. As for the depression and being down, that is very normal. My husband and I went through those feelings too. Yes, you can always come here to talk. We also spoke to a social worker when my husband started chemo, and she was a big help. Can your doctor refer you to someone like that? Our cancer center had people, Like the social worker, that we could talk to any day or any time. Also, we were set up with a dietician who helped my husband with ideas for what to eat and how to eat after surgery and during further treatment. She was a godsend. Ask around at your doctor's office and see what resources they can link you up with.

Recovery can be slow. It was good for my husband to occupy himself with other things after surgery. We binge watched a lot of Netflix together, did some organizing around the house, he played a lot on the wii, etc. Anything to get his mind off of stuff. Doing nothing made it worse. Do you have any hobbies to keep you otherwise occupied?

I am hoping for the best for you. Come here to talk at any time.

Nadine

Everyone heals different and at a different rate. No one had the exact surgery you had, or will respond the same. Talking about it is the best because you get it out. You may get some differeny things to try and some may work, and some dont. Yes I do understand the ears. When I was still in the hospital the man in the bed next to mine was, how do you say, a pain. I had my TV on and very low, but he could hear it [8:00pm] and complained to the nurse. She was kind and brought me sone headphones to have. That was very nice, and i'm sure I was billed for them. Now I was cut from ear to ear and had a dissection on both sides and can't feel my ears, at all. That was the strangest feeling, or lack on feeling with earphones on. I did get bact the feeling back on my right side. The left will always be numb for me, and it stoppe right in the cenyer on my chin and neck.
As for eating, you just have to try many things to see what will work now. It will get better down the road but for now, soft, smooth, and anything you can think of. I had to take all liquids with a straw an I had to relearn how to get a spoon to work. Every thing just fell out when I used a spoon. I did finily get it. I liked Cream of chicken soup. I had it four and five times a day.  Many say to go to a buffet when you can and you can just try everything and see what works.

Now as for being sad, you have every right to have those feelings. Heck, look what you went through. You notice I don't say depressed. That is because you are sad and that is a normal responce for now. Depression is when you need help to get over something. Yours is normal. I lost my larynx and sure it got to me. Every day I live with no vocal cored, but I can still talk. You might say I was known as a talker at work. It was said that when the surgeon you could hear a voice say, Well that outt to shut him up.  Then in 17 days I was able to takl and the voice said, hell that didn't even work. Having humor helps as does acceptance. I wanted to whistle again, but was told it can't be done with a laryngectomy, but I can. It took two months working all day every day, but I can whistle. Not as good as before, but I was not suposed to be alive ethor.  Just give it time. Will you ever get back to 100% as you were, no. You can get back to 98% of the "New You" and you will see the world different, and hopefully better, I did.

Bill

  For the first time in my life, and believe me, I've led an adventurous, crazy life..I needed to go on  anxiety meds after my  treatment, and am still on them to this day. Don't be afraid to ask for them~~going through what you have, would make anyone blue. 

   I found out my nodes were clear on my first visit back to my surgeon., so about 2 weeks. It was such a high to know chemo and radiation was not needed, I forgot all about the torture I put myself through, waiting to hear.

   The plastic ear, my right ear is still plastic, it makes it easy to put my earrings in, that ear has 2 holes for earrings ( I chickened out on the left ear )..anyway, it's really no big deal, I can hear with no ringing, which is a blessing..and check the mirror to make sure it's still there. In fact, my ear, about halfway down my neck and the back of my neck are all still numb ( 4 years, 4 months out ).

   Your tongue, I can't help you with that, mine was cancer on my epiglottis~~which caused my  ex family doctor to comment " how do you expect to live without an epiglottis?" and people wonder why I'm on anxiety meds?

   Anywho, it sounds like you're perfectly abi-normal and are welcome to vent anytime

   Take care, stay strong..you got this