Need post treatment surgery. :-(
Activity of 3 is usually left to watch and see. Mine is 3.3. I wish to heck things could be a little clearer. Anyway, luckily no activity at all anywhere else including site of primary. My medical onc was always for a partial neck disection on the side of the mets anyway, a matter of routine. Now with this--could still be from rads they say--minmal but measurable activity in the gland, I've decided to get the partial neck disection.
My ENT surgeon says it will be one to two night stay in the hospital, and about a week home recovery. I live alone, but he said I will be fine, just nothing strenuous for the week. I hate to do this because the number is so low, but I'm tired of worrying about the glands on the affected side being hideouts for the "c". I'm still fighting fatigue and I remember when I had the original lymph gland out for biopsy, the outside healed quickly, but was pretty painful at times healing on the inside.
Anyone done this? Is my ENT right about the recovery time? I know some of you had the surgery before rads and chemo, so it should be about the same. Any information would help because, as I say, I will be caring for myself most of the time, and need to prepare.
Thanks, Hal61
Comments
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Sorry, no help here
Just touched on this with Skiffin in another thread. I am almost 9 months out and John at a year I think. (neither of us had the disection)PET scans OK but having physical symptoms in area of lymph nodes has me vigilant. I will follow this post closely. Sorry to here this Hal and wish all the best.
Mike0 -
Hello Hal,
Sorry to hear that you have a border line concern, but you are doing the right thing here. I had the neck disection done the same time I had part of my tongue removed along with a trache and a Peg Tube. The full monty I guess I would call it.
The recovery will be pretty much as the Doctor mentioned. You should be able to handle this by yourself. The only thing that will be any bother to you might be the drain tubes from the disection. I wore a light shirt with breast pockets so I could have the drain tube bottles set in the pockets and not be hanging down and putting pressure on the incessions. I had the drain tube hoses inside my shirt and then come out at about the 2nd or 3rd button to the pockets. I was able to move around freely. A partial neck disection should not involve the removal of any muscles, so that is a good thing.
I also cut up a t-shirt and made a sling out of it so I could place the bottles in it so I could take showers. Hope this is of some help.
My Best to You and Everyone Here0 -
I'm a lot like you
Hal,
Hoping for the best for your procedure.
I'm 3.5 months out, base of tongue with two nodes, only activity on my PET was from one of the nodes. Mine scored at 2, so we're doing the wait and watch.
I don't know, but have heard (read) that the dissection after chemo-rads is harder than the dissection before, but still very doable.
Have you set up a date for the dissection? Hope the recovery is quick and boring.
Do well,
Pam0 -
Me too...Pam M said:I'm a lot like you
Hal,
Hoping for the best for your procedure.
I'm 3.5 months out, base of tongue with two nodes, only activity on my PET was from one of the nodes. Mine scored at 2, so we're doing the wait and watch.
I don't know, but have heard (read) that the dissection after chemo-rads is harder than the dissection before, but still very doable.
Have you set up a date for the dissection? Hope the recovery is quick and boring.
Do well,
Pam
I just had a partial neck dissection two weeks ago. I had SCC right tonsil with lymph nodes involved. I finished radiation and chemo about two months ago and thought it was all taken care of. The docs recommended the dissection just to be sure, and that really discouraged me. It was just one more thing at the end of so many things I couldn't help but imagine all the worst outcomes. In the end, I agreed and am glad I did it. The surgery was major, I stayed overnight. But got the drains removed after a day and went home. Then I just took it easy for a week until the stitches came out, just like the man said. I didn't have any particularly bad pain or difficulties. The scar is gnarly, no doubt. I have some stiffness but feel like it is getting a little better as I work it slowly each day. I have to sleep propped up or on my other side because the side of my chin swells with the fluid. That can be uncomfortable.
All in all, it has been NOTHING compared to what we've already done.
So, I think you can do it.
Oh and my lymph nodes all tested negative, so now I know for sure and don't have to worry about them. I worry about other stuff! :-)
david0 -
Hal
I just posted that my dad my need the same thing. Was this the first scan that you have had?
My dad has not had on yet and they already want to do the surgery. I have the same questions as you do.
On doctor told me it would be 1-2 night stay, but then the ENT acted like it was major? I will be watching the respones to your post.
Kathy0 -
Kathy's DadPumakitty said:Hal
I just posted that my dad my need the same thing. Was this the first scan that you have had?
My dad has not had on yet and they already want to do the surgery. I have the same questions as you do.
On doctor told me it would be 1-2 night stay, but then the ENT acted like it was major? I will be watching the respones to your post.
Kathy
Hi Kathy, this was my second, three-month, scan. The posts on this thread lead me to believe that even the one-side "partial" dissection is major, but major is relative. A one (likely) or two night stay is not major time in the hospital. If I can care for myself, then it's not major. It's invasive, a real surgery, and that makes it major.
It's not a bit unusual for the surgery to be done prior to rad/chemo treatment. Originally, that is the way my path would have gone. My ENT and radiologist oncologist both said we could go for a remission with a longer, stronger regimen of radiation and chemo, so I--like many others on the board--went thataway.
As said, my activity number is borderline, and waiting and watching is an option, but I've opted for the surgery because there is some activity, and I want a clean slate and to stop the worry about sneaky lymph glands. But, again, the surgery first is probably more common, or as common, as the other way around. If he's had no rads or chemo and it is on the agenda, he has a road to travel after the surgery, but the surgery will remove a potential source of worry once the whole treatment is done. Best of luck, and prayers and hugs too, to you and your dad.
Hal0 -
I may have the same thing.Hal61 said:Kathy's Dad
Hi Kathy, this was my second, three-month, scan. The posts on this thread lead me to believe that even the one-side "partial" dissection is major, but major is relative. A one (likely) or two night stay is not major time in the hospital. If I can care for myself, then it's not major. It's invasive, a real surgery, and that makes it major.
It's not a bit unusual for the surgery to be done prior to rad/chemo treatment. Originally, that is the way my path would have gone. My ENT and radiologist oncologist both said we could go for a remission with a longer, stronger regimen of radiation and chemo, so I--like many others on the board--went thataway.
As said, my activity number is borderline, and waiting and watching is an option, but I've opted for the surgery because there is some activity, and I want a clean slate and to stop the worry about sneaky lymph glands. But, again, the surgery first is probably more common, or as common, as the other way around. If he's had no rads or chemo and it is on the agenda, he has a road to travel after the surgery, but the surgery will remove a potential source of worry once the whole treatment is done. Best of luck, and prayers and hugs too, to you and your dad.
Hal
I went in for biopsies last week and am waiting on the results, the ENT doc wants to wait for my three month scan and then decide what path. If it will get rid of the ear pain that I get I am all for it. The pain puts me down, I cannot function, they have me on Ixycodone and it works but I am pretty messed up for the rest of the day, so I just try to take it at night so I can get some sleep. Hal keep us informed of what the doctors decide. I was stage 4 left tonsil SCC.
Brad0 -
Same thingrmkbrad said:I may have the same thing.
I went in for biopsies last week and am waiting on the results, the ENT doc wants to wait for my three month scan and then decide what path. If it will get rid of the ear pain that I get I am all for it. The pain puts me down, I cannot function, they have me on Ixycodone and it works but I am pretty messed up for the rest of the day, so I just try to take it at night so I can get some sleep. Hal keep us informed of what the doctors decide. I was stage 4 left tonsil SCC.
Brad
Thanks Brad, sorry to hear about your ear pain. I get small, temporary aches, in either ear at different times, and have varying tinnitus 24/7. I'm not sure what effect the lymph gland removal will have on my ears. Everything seems to effect everything sometimes. My surgery has been scheduled for the 27th of this month, so I need to get set up to care for myself. Sounds very doable from what people here have said. What I get most tired of are commercials. If I see that gecko once more, or watch them roll those gold bolts of material down the arches or pull them to the sea shore again . . . it could almost make you read something--ha.
hoping your ear pain lessens,
Hal0 -
DittoHal61 said:Same thing
Thanks Brad, sorry to hear about your ear pain. I get small, temporary aches, in either ear at different times, and have varying tinnitus 24/7. I'm not sure what effect the lymph gland removal will have on my ears. Everything seems to effect everything sometimes. My surgery has been scheduled for the 27th of this month, so I need to get set up to care for myself. Sounds very doable from what people here have said. What I get most tired of are commercials. If I see that gecko once more, or watch them roll those gold bolts of material down the arches or pull them to the sea shore again . . . it could almost make you read something--ha.
hoping your ear pain lessens,
Hal
Hal,
Don't have much to add to what everyone has said. I had tonsillectomy and rad neck dissection prior to R/C. Rad neck dissection looked the worse but for me anyways was fairly easy to deal with. The tonsillectomy was another story - OUCH! You'll do fine, just make sure you have the essentials for a few days in the house until you can drive.
Sorry to hear you have to go thru this but like you said maybe give you some piece of mind knowing it's out.
Positive thoughts coming your way!
Greg0 -
Hal, I can't help with info
Hal, I can't help with info but want you to know I'm praying for you. Hang in there.
God bless you, Hal,
deb0
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