Tomorrow is the Day - UPDATE 9/16

kimmygarland
kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
edited March 2014 in Caregivers #1
Tomorrow my husband will have a big hunk of his throat removed where the tumor and cancer is, some lymph nodes, a flap taken from his arm and put in his throat (to cover hunk removed), and a skin graft from his hip to cover the flap taken from his arm. He'll get a trach and won't be able to swallow for several months if ever. ICU for several days, hospital for 7-10.

The day has come. For all my bravado and encouragement to you, my fellow caregivers, I will admit, I am a nervous wreck. Thank goodness for the medication I started a couple of weeks ago or I'd probably be in the looney bin.

I am trying to be positive and I truly AM positive he will get through the surgery. Since this is a recurrence, I am scared they won't be able to get all the cancer. Of course, if they don't they will do chemo and rads again.

My mind has been wandering to all kinds of things today like I will not hear his voice for a while (as long as trach is in), may never share a meal with him again, will become more caregiver than wife, etc. etc..... Plus I feel so sorry for our son who is being so brave for us and I know his heart is breaking too.

We have to be at the hospital at 6:00 am tomorrow morning, surgery scheduled at 8 am. Please keep us in your prayers. I will try to jump on at some point in the next day or so and give an update.
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Comments

  • Pennymac02
    Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member
    #2
    Prayers
    You'll be in my thoughts and prayers all day, Kimmy. I'll be praying that God reminds you that he's holding your husband, son and yourself in the palm of His hand. I'll be praying for your peace and serenity, for grace and favor for the doctors, surgeons, and nurses, and will be standing in Faith with you for the best possible outcome. God bless!
    Penny
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #3
    a thought
    Kimmy, since Jim started his therapy I have been saving all the voice mails he sends to me at work. Can your husband send some to you so that you may save them? This was important to me - I don't know why - and it may not be important to you. Also, Jim's voice is back to normal now so I am buying a Hallmark record-a-story book this weekend for him to make for our grandson. With this type of cancer, one never knows.

    You will be in my prayers through out this - please find a computer and let us know progress just as often as you feel led to.
  • PattyNC
    PattyNC Member Posts: 65
    #4
    Noellesmom said:

    a thought
    Kimmy, since Jim started his therapy I have been saving all the voice mails he sends to me at work. Can your husband send some to you so that you may save them? This was important to me - I don't know why - and it may not be important to you. Also, Jim's voice is back to normal now so I am buying a Hallmark record-a-story book this weekend for him to make for our grandson. With this type of cancer, one never knows.

    You will be in my prayers through out this - please find a computer and let us know progress just as often as you feel led to.

    Kimmy you & your family are in our prayers
    You have so much on you & your posts really convey the difficult journey you and your husband & son are taking right now. You have a beautiful family and they are blessed to have you working so hard on their behalf. Give update when you can ... prayers & hugs.

    Patty
  • grandmafay
    grandmafay Member Posts: 1,633 Member
    #5
    Prayers
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Don't let your thoughts get too far ahead of you. I know that is not easy, but try to take things a day at a time. We are all haunted by the what ifs in life, we just need control them. I hope you have lots of things to keep you busy at the hospital. I found mysteries helped me. I also crocheted all the grandchildren and some friends scarves during one hospital stay. Best wishes and hang in there. Fay
  • zinniemay
    zinniemay Member Posts: 522
    #6
    prayers
    With you in spirit and heart,
    Jennie
  • AnnaLeigh
    AnnaLeigh Member Posts: 187 Member
    #7
    Prayers for all
    We will be praying for you and your very courageous family. Will also be adding prayers to guide the surgeons hands and be with every assistant, nurse and medical person attending your husband.

    It's very difficult to watch our roles change and we sometimes grieve the loss of the old relationship we had with our loved ones. So we will add prayers of acceptance and strength and send you our hopes for the very best possible outcome.
  • 3Mana
    3Mana Member Posts: 811
    #8
    Think Positive
    Tonight will be a rough nite and you probably won't sleep much. And of course tomorrow will be a long, stressful day. But just remember that we're all praying for you husband.Keep us posted and come on the chat at night, we can all talk!! Be strong!! "Carole"
  • luz del lago
    luz del lago Member Posts: 449
    #9
    3Mana said:

    Think Positive
    Tonight will be a rough nite and you probably won't sleep much. And of course tomorrow will be a long, stressful day. But just remember that we're all praying for you husband.Keep us posted and come on the chat at night, we can all talk!! Be strong!! "Carole"

    Kimmy, you rest tonight for you will need your strength and courage tomorrow. We've got your back. I will pray for you, your husband,and your son, before I close my eyes to sleep tonight. I will begin to pray when the morning comes, and throughout the day. God bless you all with peace tonight and a wonderful outcome tomorrow.

    Lucy
  • ms.sunshine
    ms.sunshine Member Posts: 707 Member
    #10
    luz del lago said:

    Kimmy, you rest tonight for you will need your strength and courage tomorrow. We've got your back. I will pray for you, your husband,and your son, before I close my eyes to sleep tonight. I will begin to pray when the morning comes, and throughout the day. God bless you all with peace tonight and a wonderful outcome tomorrow.

    Lucy

    Praying and believing all
    Praying and believing all will go well. Strength be with you and husband. Hospitals can really wear one down, so try to rest. Take care.
  • 3Mana
    3Mana Member Posts: 811
    #11
    How's your husband
    Hi Kimmy,
    Thought about you today and just wondered how your husbands surgery went? Hope okay. Please keep us posted on him when you get a chance. Hopefully things will start looking up! Hang in there & think positive! "Carole"
  • luz del lago
    luz del lago Member Posts: 449
    #12
    3Mana said:

    How's your husband
    Hi Kimmy,
    Thought about you today and just wondered how your husbands surgery went? Hope okay. Please keep us posted on him when you get a chance. Hopefully things will start looking up! Hang in there & think positive! "Carole"

    Just said a prayer
    Kimmy,
    I pray that all went well and that at this hour your husband is resting and recovering. I pray that you are surrounded by angels that are comforting you and bringing some peace and rest, tonight.
    God bless,
    Lucy
  • zinniemay
    zinniemay Member Posts: 522
    #13
    Thinking of you
    Kimmy,
    I just want you to know how much we are all thinking of you , your husband and your son. I am not the best at praying but I am doing the best I can and hoping that everything went ok.
    Jennie
  • Pennymac02
    Pennymac02 Member Posts: 332 Member
    #14
    zinniemay said:

    Thinking of you
    Kimmy,
    I just want you to know how much we are all thinking of you , your husband and your son. I am not the best at praying but I am doing the best I can and hoping that everything went ok.
    Jennie

    Continued prayers
    Woke up this morning and thought of you, remembered your family in my prayers. I hope all is well.
  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #15
    first thing
    Kimmy,you and your husband were the first thing on my mind this morning. Hope everything went as expected or better.

    We are all anxiously awaiting an update when you have time.

    Prayers and hugs.
  • Barbara53
    Barbara53 Member Posts: 652
    #16
    Noellesmom said:

    first thing
    Kimmy,you and your husband were the first thing on my mind this morning. Hope everything went as expected or better.

    We are all anxiously awaiting an update when you have time.

    Prayers and hugs.

    hospital time
    Kimmy, we know you're doing hospital time, but we're all thinking of you and hoping you get plenty of loving care at every turn.
  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #17
    Barbara53 said:

    hospital time
    Kimmy, we know you're doing hospital time, but we're all thinking of you and hoping you get plenty of loving care at every turn.

    WENT GREAT
    Surgery went exactly as planned, cancer removed w/clean margins, lymph nodes out, flap installed in throat, arm repaired from removal of tissue for flap, trache installed.
    Ended up being 8.5 hours in surgery.

    He is resting comfortably in ICU and will probably go to regular room tomorrow. Once he got adjusted to the trache he was ok - that took a few hours and was not pleasant to watch. Trache is only temporary - at most 3-4 weeks.

    Got him up and into a chair today, and you'd have thought he ran a marathon, so he has a big recovery ahead of him. But at this time, he is cancer free, and we are moving forward.

    My son and I are splitting hospital time - I go early morning and come home late afternoon. He stays late afternoon until about midnight. Has worked well, hopefully we can keep it up, as we are both getting our rest and doing ok (I wish someone could explain to me why sitting in a hospital room is so exhausting?!!!. My parents are also helping out filling in here and there.

    Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers. I'll pop back in a few days and let you know how it's going.

    Take Care of yourselves!
  • grandmafay
    grandmafay Member Posts: 1,633 Member
    #18
    kimmygarland said:

    WENT GREAT
    Surgery went exactly as planned, cancer removed w/clean margins, lymph nodes out, flap installed in throat, arm repaired from removal of tissue for flap, trache installed.
    Ended up being 8.5 hours in surgery.

    He is resting comfortably in ICU and will probably go to regular room tomorrow. Once he got adjusted to the trache he was ok - that took a few hours and was not pleasant to watch. Trache is only temporary - at most 3-4 weeks.

    Got him up and into a chair today, and you'd have thought he ran a marathon, so he has a big recovery ahead of him. But at this time, he is cancer free, and we are moving forward.

    My son and I are splitting hospital time - I go early morning and come home late afternoon. He stays late afternoon until about midnight. Has worked well, hopefully we can keep it up, as we are both getting our rest and doing ok (I wish someone could explain to me why sitting in a hospital room is so exhausting?!!!. My parents are also helping out filling in here and there.

    Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers. I'll pop back in a few days and let you know how it's going.

    Take Care of yourselves!

    Thanks
    Thanks for the update. Thumbs up on the outcome. Take care, Fay
  • AnnaLeigh
    AnnaLeigh Member Posts: 187 Member
    #19
    kimmygarland said:

    WENT GREAT
    Surgery went exactly as planned, cancer removed w/clean margins, lymph nodes out, flap installed in throat, arm repaired from removal of tissue for flap, trache installed.
    Ended up being 8.5 hours in surgery.

    He is resting comfortably in ICU and will probably go to regular room tomorrow. Once he got adjusted to the trache he was ok - that took a few hours and was not pleasant to watch. Trache is only temporary - at most 3-4 weeks.

    Got him up and into a chair today, and you'd have thought he ran a marathon, so he has a big recovery ahead of him. But at this time, he is cancer free, and we are moving forward.

    My son and I are splitting hospital time - I go early morning and come home late afternoon. He stays late afternoon until about midnight. Has worked well, hopefully we can keep it up, as we are both getting our rest and doing ok (I wish someone could explain to me why sitting in a hospital room is so exhausting?!!!. My parents are also helping out filling in here and there.

    Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers. I'll pop back in a few days and let you know how it's going.

    Take Care of yourselves!

    Prayers for continued great recovery
    I know you and your family must be so relieved that surgery went as planned and you will be moving on to the next step.

    We will keep you in our prayers that recovery goes smoothly and that you are able to get some well deserved rest.

    You guys make a great team !!!!!!!
  • zinniemay
    zinniemay Member Posts: 522
    #20
    kimmygarland said:

    WENT GREAT
    Surgery went exactly as planned, cancer removed w/clean margins, lymph nodes out, flap installed in throat, arm repaired from removal of tissue for flap, trache installed.
    Ended up being 8.5 hours in surgery.

    He is resting comfortably in ICU and will probably go to regular room tomorrow. Once he got adjusted to the trache he was ok - that took a few hours and was not pleasant to watch. Trache is only temporary - at most 3-4 weeks.

    Got him up and into a chair today, and you'd have thought he ran a marathon, so he has a big recovery ahead of him. But at this time, he is cancer free, and we are moving forward.

    My son and I are splitting hospital time - I go early morning and come home late afternoon. He stays late afternoon until about midnight. Has worked well, hopefully we can keep it up, as we are both getting our rest and doing ok (I wish someone could explain to me why sitting in a hospital room is so exhausting?!!!. My parents are also helping out filling in here and there.

    Thank you so much for the thoughts and prayers. I'll pop back in a few days and let you know how it's going.

    Take Care of yourselves!

    day by day
    Kimmy,
    You don't know how good it is to hear this we all have been worried and waiting. I am almost as happy as you are. Great news!
    Jennie
  • luz del lago
    luz del lago Member Posts: 449
    #21
    zinniemay said:

    day by day
    Kimmy,
    You don't know how good it is to hear this we all have been worried and waiting. I am almost as happy as you are. Great news!
    Jennie

    Wonderful News!
    I am so happy for you, your husband and son. I, too, will continue my prayers for a good and speedy recovery.
    God bless,
    Lucy

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