modified radical neck dissection

Mi2bys
Mi2bys Member Posts: 18 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi all! Just putting out a new thread so it is not lost. A few have already shared their experiences. Thank you again!! Surgery next week and hoping there is someone out there that just had this surgery and wants to share. Or if you are a year out--how the recovery has been? Everyone on this website have given me strength and courage--God Bless you all!

Comments

  • johnsonbl
    johnsonbl Member Posts: 266 Member
    #2
    It's not too bad...

    Had it done on my left side.  In hospital for 2 days.  Took about 2 weeks to heal up.  They should warn you of potential damage to nerves in your neck that may lead to shoulder weakness.  It's pretty common and can be mostly remedied with physical therapy.  You'll suffer from lymphadema and stiffness in your neck...again can be remedied with physical activity and therapy.  I'm 2 years out...still have a stiff neck, still have some ache in my shoulder but it doesn't slow me down too much.

     

    You'll survive, that's the important thing.

     

    Brandon

  • Mi2bys
    Mi2bys Member Posts: 18 Member
    #3
    johnsonbl said:

    It's not too bad...

    Had it done on my left side.  In hospital for 2 days.  Took about 2 weeks to heal up.  They should warn you of potential damage to nerves in your neck that may lead to shoulder weakness.  It's pretty common and can be mostly remedied with physical therapy.  You'll suffer from lymphadema and stiffness in your neck...again can be remedied with physical activity and therapy.  I'm 2 years out...still have a stiff neck, still have some ache in my shoulder but it doesn't slow me down too much.

     

    You'll survive, that's the important thing.

     

    Brandon

    Thank you

    so much!. The vain part of me wants to know how your scar is? Mine will also be on the left. When were you able to get back to your normal activity and working out? 

    Lora

  • johnsonbl
    johnsonbl Member Posts: 266 Member
    #4
    Mi2bys said:

    Thank you

    so much!. The vain part of me wants to know how your scar is? Mine will also be on the left. When were you able to get back to your normal activity and working out? 

    Lora

    My ENT did a great job...

    My scar isn't very noticeable at all...  I'm not as good as I should be about sunscreen so it get's a bit more noticeable as my neck tans.  Most people don't notice it.  I've never had the people cutting my hair mention it...which is a pretty good indicator in my opinion.

    Yes, I do everything I did before...golf, fish, work in the yard, coach baseball...all that jazz.  I think I mentioned shoulder weakness and stiffness.  I have these but they are more a nuisance than anything.  Staying active is the most important part with all of this.  The more active the better.  If you baby things then they get stiff and cause more trouble.  It was probably 2 weeks or so before I felt comfortable doing too much that involved a lot of neck movement.  But after that you just gotta go for it.

  • Mi2bys
    Mi2bys Member Posts: 18 Member
    #5
    johnsonbl said:

    My ENT did a great job...

    My scar isn't very noticeable at all...  I'm not as good as I should be about sunscreen so it get's a bit more noticeable as my neck tans.  Most people don't notice it.  I've never had the people cutting my hair mention it...which is a pretty good indicator in my opinion.

    Yes, I do everything I did before...golf, fish, work in the yard, coach baseball...all that jazz.  I think I mentioned shoulder weakness and stiffness.  I have these but they are more a nuisance than anything.  Staying active is the most important part with all of this.  The more active the better.  If you baby things then they get stiff and cause more trouble.  It was probably 2 weeks or so before I felt comfortable doing too much that involved a lot of neck movement.  But after that you just gotta go for it.

    ENT

    I have a great one too! He removed my thyroid a year ago. I feel so confident after your replies. Now onward soldier...

    Thank you again!!

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 728 Member
    #6
    The Scar

    I had a radical right neck dissection back in 2012.  At first the scar was like Frankenstein.  But then I noticed the surgeon cut me along my normal neck fold line and today no one can tell it's a scar.  My guess is they'll do the same for you.  Give it a few years or less and you'll never notice it.

     

  • Mi2bys
    Mi2bys Member Posts: 18 Member
    #7
    tommyodavey said:

    The Scar

    I had a radical right neck dissection back in 2012.  At first the scar was like Frankenstein.  But then I noticed the surgeon cut me along my normal neck fold line and today no one can tell it's a scar.  My guess is they'll do the same for you.  Give it a few years or less and you'll never notice it.

     

    Thank you

    going in Thursday, Can anyone tell me how they deal with their panic? Mine stems from clausterphopia and the neck drain -which my surgeon says will be in 3-4 days. This is my 4th surgery in 1 1/2 years so I am not a rookie. When I was 10 I soaked my cast (from foot to knee) under water and took it off because of the clausterphobia~ and they want me to have a drain in my NECK?? Common sense out the door- this is freaking me out!!  Any experiences out there? GOD BLESS you all!

  • motorcycleguy
    motorcycleguy Member Posts: 483 Member
    #8
    My Scar

    mom,

    I posted a picture of my scar (with staples) on FaceBook, right after surgery - and it scared people.

    A few weeks later, it was barely noticeable!

    Keep up with the lotion... it will help. Good luck to you!

    motorcycleguy

  • whoisjohngalt
    whoisjohngalt Member Posts: 30
    #9
    Mi2bys said:

    Thank you

    going in Thursday, Can anyone tell me how they deal with their panic? Mine stems from clausterphopia and the neck drain -which my surgeon says will be in 3-4 days. This is my 4th surgery in 1 1/2 years so I am not a rookie. When I was 10 I soaked my cast (from foot to knee) under water and took it off because of the clausterphobia~ and they want me to have a drain in my NECK?? Common sense out the door- this is freaking me out!!  Any experiences out there? GOD BLESS you all!

    I had similar surgery and a drain tube

    My tube was up a ways on my neck and so was not really noticable by me. When I first saw my scar I thought what a crooked line! After awhile as it was healing it became less noticable because they made the cut in the area where my neck creased anyway, not it's not noticable unless I tilt my head waaaay back. One year later I still have numbness where they cut out the cancerous node. My shoulder was very week for awhile but I went to the gym and started working out and now is as strong as my other shoulder. I have no neck stiffness either. I'm sure you'll get through this just fine!

  • Mi2bys
    Mi2bys Member Posts: 18 Member
    #10
    Thank you!

     to all who have helped me so much by answering all my questions - even the ridiculous ones. Here I go! I've got this!!! To God be the glory!!

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