NOW I Have News to Share - and How Are Your Necks?
Went to ENT - they say I have a lot of swelling - probably due to radiation. Voice and swallowing are still off, but I can talk and swallow, so that's good. Had a scary morning at the hospital, when doc said we may need to look at another feeding tube. Sooo glad that didn't need to happen.
To those who've had dissections (or care for someone who did): what is the extent of your lasting or permanent damage? my doc said my arm would not regain full mobility, and the side of my neck would always be numb. He also said we'll have to wait and see on the rest of my numbness/reduced sensation and my "wonky" mouth (my smile is crooked, and sometimes I trip over my mouth when I talk). He expects my swallowing to return to as good as it was before the operation. I was surprised - my surgery went very well - no surprise damage, no harm to jugular, etc. - expected my lasting effects to be minimal (don't get me wrong - I have nothing major to deal with - I just thought I'd have even less to handle).
Any recovery tips to share?
I had you all in my head before the surgery - you helped me along. Thank You.
Oh - almost forgot - CANCER GONE - took all nodes from right front and side - the only cancerous one was the one that showed up in the PET and CT.
Comments
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Happy Dance for Pam...
Pam..can't answer your question about neck dissection since my husband's tumor is inoperable, but what wonderful news for you about the nodes!!! WTG! How wonderful to be told that the cancer is gone! Celebrating with you here in the arctic midwest!0 -
YAAAAY!!!
That's awesome news! I'm, so glad to hear it! If I wasn't so tired I would do a happy dance!
Hubby is almost 3 months out from his bilateral radical neck dissection and laryngectomy. His neck is still numb, still a bit swollen, and it's still kind of hard for him to chew. I think some of his symptoms are caused by the sepsis (swelling mostly, which made it hard for him to eat and chew) but the numbness is ongoing.
He has reduced movement in his shoulder and tongue because the surgeon took out 2 nerves that helped with movement in those areas. He will always have reduced range of motion, but the amount can be lessened with time.
Be nice to yourself - lots of soft stuff and liquids. I heard that one of Joe's (soccerfreaks) family made a tube, filled it with rice, he put it in the microwave for a couple minutes, wrapped it loosely and it helped him with the stiff and swollen and (some of) the pain. Not sure if it works. Hubby always complained that he felt like there was a noose around his neck, so I never bothered.
Great things! HUGS!0 -
Thanks, MikkiMikki332 said:Happy Dance for Pam...
Pam..can't answer your question about neck dissection since my husband's tumor is inoperable, but what wonderful news for you about the nodes!!! WTG! How wonderful to be told that the cancer is gone! Celebrating with you here in the arctic midwest!
Looks like you ARE celebrtating - love the pic!0 -
Welcome back
Hi Pam, good to hear from you and glad you are out of the hospital. I had the left side of my neck done in July. My ENT have me a more positive prognosis for movement, numbness, etc. I have pretty much full motion now in my left arm. I still have numbness is still in left side of neck, lower part of jaw, and left ear lobe, but, just the last couple of weeks I've began to feel a bit more in the area, along with pain on and off. It's getting less numb, but don't know where it will end up. I had traces of cancer in three of 14 removed, all those showing trace being clustered around original site of tumor which is gone and no reoccurance there.
Maybe your ENT didn't want to paint a better picture, but if they didn't have to do any major cutting, I'm hoping your recovery will be more pronounced than he suggests. Mine says improvement can happen for up to a year, so I wish the best for you.
Hal0 -
Yaay, Indeedmswijiknyc said:YAAAAY!!!
That's awesome news! I'm, so glad to hear it! If I wasn't so tired I would do a happy dance!
Hubby is almost 3 months out from his bilateral radical neck dissection and laryngectomy. His neck is still numb, still a bit swollen, and it's still kind of hard for him to chew. I think some of his symptoms are caused by the sepsis (swelling mostly, which made it hard for him to eat and chew) but the numbness is ongoing.
He has reduced movement in his shoulder and tongue because the surgeon took out 2 nerves that helped with movement in those areas. He will always have reduced range of motion, but the amount can be lessened with time.
Be nice to yourself - lots of soft stuff and liquids. I heard that one of Joe's (soccerfreaks) family made a tube, filled it with rice, he put it in the microwave for a couple minutes, wrapped it loosely and it helped him with the stiff and swollen and (some of) the pain. Not sure if it works. Hubby always complained that he felt like there was a noose around his neck, so I never bothered.
Great things! HUGS!
Thank You. Been thinking of you guys, too - is the sepsis subsiding?
Rice sock (that's what I call it - I used old, worn out tube socks) does work - also make them with beans. I agree with Patrick - I feel like someone is (gently) choking me - doesn't hurt, it's just odd.0 -
Arm mobility
Hi Pam
So very happy to hear you are doing so well! Here's hoping your recovery is swift and complete. After my neck surgery, I was not able to raise my right arm much above the horizontal, even though my ENT was pretty insistent that he hadn't damaged any nerves. I went through six weeks of physical therapy shortly after I finished treatment. It really didn't seem to help the arm mobility any. However, six months out now, and I can raise my arm straight up. I think it's time to do another round of physical therapy. I believe the nerves have regenerated.
Happy healing!
Deb0 -
Surgery
Pam,
Glad to hear it went well. I was hoping you'd be home for Christmas.
After I had my neck dissection, things started to heal up and feeling started to slowly (and steadily) return over a period of weeks. I suppose that it had healed up for the most part after about six to eight weeks. However, there has been gradual improvement since then.
I have one small area about an inch or two long - right at the site of the incesion under my jaw - that has a sensation of numbness. I don't notice it unless i think about it or shave there.
Rush0 -
Good to Be BackHal61 said:Welcome back
Hi Pam, good to hear from you and glad you are out of the hospital. I had the left side of my neck done in July. My ENT have me a more positive prognosis for movement, numbness, etc. I have pretty much full motion now in my left arm. I still have numbness is still in left side of neck, lower part of jaw, and left ear lobe, but, just the last couple of weeks I've began to feel a bit more in the area, along with pain on and off. It's getting less numb, but don't know where it will end up. I had traces of cancer in three of 14 removed, all those showing trace being clustered around original site of tumor which is gone and no reoccurance there.
Maybe your ENT didn't want to paint a better picture, but if they didn't have to do any major cutting, I'm hoping your recovery will be more pronounced than he suggests. Mine says improvement can happen for up to a year, so I wish the best for you.
Hal
Hal,
I'm hoping you're right, and my doc wanted me to be pleasantly surprised later, and not bitter. I had the "best case scenario" surgery - nothing out of the ordinary - no nodes stuck to anything or wrapped around anything. So, I was expecting him to say I might have a small numb spot, and that was it. Wow - you're getting some pain now? Seems unfair.0 -
Healing painsPam M said:Good to Be Back
Hal,
I'm hoping you're right, and my doc wanted me to be pleasantly surprised later, and not bitter. I had the "best case scenario" surgery - nothing out of the ordinary - no nodes stuck to anything or wrapped around anything. So, I was expecting him to say I might have a small numb spot, and that was it. Wow - you're getting some pain now? Seems unfair.
Just so as not to scare you, the brief, very slight pain I'm having now is related to feeling coming back and so it's welcome. I had a little pain on and off the firse week or so after as the incision and interior healed, nothing major even then. The only real pain I ever had was when the doc removed the lymph drainage tubes before I left the hospital. That smarted, but only lasted a moment.
Hal0 -
Wonderful
Your news is just plain Wonderful! For you to be on 7 days later shows how well your doing.
I am now 14 years 6 months post surgery for modified radical neck dissection. I still am numb on the left shoulder left neck and both bottom half of my ears(from radiation) The best I can do is raise my left arm very fast and it will go all the way up. If I do it slowly and or lift slowly it will only go just above shoulder height. Swallowing just ok, still need lots of water/liquid to eat.
All of the above is more than bearable to live with.
The hardest thing i have to deal with are my teeth and spicy foods. Oh I do not do alcohol of any sort and stay away from second hand smoke.
I suggest to you that you will recovery very well, the problem is for many that it is just not fast enough. Please us wisdom to get thru. It took me almost 2 years to be used to new normal.
Happy Dance for you.0 -
Wonderful!
Pam:
Glad to hear you're healing well. Keep up the good work and Happy New Year!
Jan (Basketcase)0 -
after neck dissectionJan Trinks said:Wonderful!
Pam:
Glad to hear you're healing well. Keep up the good work and Happy New Year!
Jan (Basketcase)
I had a partial neck dissection (right) in July 2010. I also have had trouble with shoulder pain with my right arm; lifting it, and throwing are very hard. I have been doing physical therapy and that has helped. At first, I didn't go to PT because I didn't feel like I needed it. That was probably a mistake. I didn't believe neck surgery could affect my shoulder and arm, but it sure has. I also have a numb patch on my chin about 2 x 3 inches. I am told that will probably last forever. It doesn't bother me too much.
Now, I still have lots of tightness in that side of my neck and some fluid buildup in the mornings...
All in all, the neck dissection was nothing compared to the other treatments.0 -
I had a modified neckdavidgskinner said:after neck dissection
I had a partial neck dissection (right) in July 2010. I also have had trouble with shoulder pain with my right arm; lifting it, and throwing are very hard. I have been doing physical therapy and that has helped. At first, I didn't go to PT because I didn't feel like I needed it. That was probably a mistake. I didn't believe neck surgery could affect my shoulder and arm, but it sure has. I also have a numb patch on my chin about 2 x 3 inches. I am told that will probably last forever. It doesn't bother me too much.
Now, I still have lots of tightness in that side of my neck and some fluid buildup in the mornings...
All in all, the neck dissection was nothing compared to the other treatments.
I had a modified neck dissection on my left side. It will be two years ago on 1/9/09. They took 23 lymph nodes and my left salivary gland. I guess my surgery is different than most because I've gotten comments from other fellow patients and even a couple of docs that say they have never seen a scar that looked like mine. They cut from my left collar bone up to my left ear lobe and then it runs under the whole length of my jaw to right of center, under my chin.
When first out of surgery I couldn't raise my arm past horizontal. They did not ever send me for physical therapy. I worked on my arm myself and I can pretty much raise to almost my ear now. It is still weaker than my right. Over all I am way weaker tho from the **** kicking that rads gave me and losing 40 lbs of muscle.
My arm is better than my neck. I have to say I am still in daily pain with my neck. I have pretty limited mobility with my neck. I try to stretch it daily. I have even started a yoga class once a week. My neck is still numb in places, and I still get nerve pain. My left side of my lip droops a bit and has paralysis. I usually drink with a straw because I sometimes end up wearing it when I don't and my head doesn't tilt all the way back to get the last few ounces from my glass.
If you can go to physical therapy I think that would be helpful. I have no idea why I wasn't sent. I should have been. My neck is very tight. That would be a major complaint with me. My neck is about a 2-3 on a pain scale. My tongue from rads is still a 2-3 on the scale.
You sound like you are doing well for 7 days out. I didnt have any problems with swallowing after mine, really. As a matter of fact I was going insane in the hospital for 4-5 days because they wouldn't freakin feed me and I was starving. I got like jello.
I was begging for food. I finally got some broth, at least it was warm. I begged my friends and parents for something and no one would let me have anything. I was getting pretty cranky. I am not nice when I cannot eat.
Prayers for a speedy recovery.0 -
Pamsweetblood22 said:I had a modified neck
I had a modified neck dissection on my left side. It will be two years ago on 1/9/09. They took 23 lymph nodes and my left salivary gland. I guess my surgery is different than most because I've gotten comments from other fellow patients and even a couple of docs that say they have never seen a scar that looked like mine. They cut from my left collar bone up to my left ear lobe and then it runs under the whole length of my jaw to right of center, under my chin.
When first out of surgery I couldn't raise my arm past horizontal. They did not ever send me for physical therapy. I worked on my arm myself and I can pretty much raise to almost my ear now. It is still weaker than my right. Over all I am way weaker tho from the **** kicking that rads gave me and losing 40 lbs of muscle.
My arm is better than my neck. I have to say I am still in daily pain with my neck. I have pretty limited mobility with my neck. I try to stretch it daily. I have even started a yoga class once a week. My neck is still numb in places, and I still get nerve pain. My left side of my lip droops a bit and has paralysis. I usually drink with a straw because I sometimes end up wearing it when I don't and my head doesn't tilt all the way back to get the last few ounces from my glass.
If you can go to physical therapy I think that would be helpful. I have no idea why I wasn't sent. I should have been. My neck is very tight. That would be a major complaint with me. My neck is about a 2-3 on a pain scale. My tongue from rads is still a 2-3 on the scale.
You sound like you are doing well for 7 days out. I didnt have any problems with swallowing after mine, really. As a matter of fact I was going insane in the hospital for 4-5 days because they wouldn't freakin feed me and I was starving. I got like jello. I was begging for food. I finally got some broth, at least it was warm. I begged my friends and parents for something and no one would let me have anything. I was getting pretty cranky. I am not nice when I cannot eat.
Prayers for a speedy recovery.
I have not had any surgery done as of yet.So I have no advice to offer. I am so happy that
everything turned out well for you. Plus no tube required for eating. I do know I would have
been worried about that one. Your post sound's so great. I am so excited & happy for you.
God Bless
Roz0 -
I have not had any surgeries so I can't give you any advice, I just wanted to congratualate you on the successful surgery. You have always been strong and I know that you will recover from this also with minimal (if any) side effects.
Will continue to keep you in my prayers.
Enjoy you New Year's celebration, you have plenty to celebrate!!0 -
Almost a year ago for meGlenna M said:I have not had any surgeries so I can't give you any advice, I just wanted to congratualate you on the successful surgery. You have always been strong and I know that you will recover from this also with minimal (if any) side effects.
Will continue to keep you in my prayers.
Enjoy you New Year's celebration, you have plenty to celebrate!!
I was just about where you are at now 1 year ago. Had just finished neck disection although mine was selective with 9 nodes removed. I can echo most of the same problems, numbness that does not go away, trouble tuning my head around when backing a car (be careful when you start driving), and a permanent knot of lymph fluid buildup at the cervical node site everyday that I don't like very much. If lymph buildup becomes a problem you can go for lymphatic massage which does help some initially. They also make garments that you can wear to sleep for this. As others have saidm it's all doable although somewhat annoying at times. Luckily I have full mobility with my right arm. Do the exercises they gave you until the arm mobility gets better.0 -
Glad to see youfisrpotpe said:Wonderful
Your news is just plain Wonderful! For you to be on 7 days later shows how well your doing.
I am now 14 years 6 months post surgery for modified radical neck dissection. I still am numb on the left shoulder left neck and both bottom half of my ears(from radiation) The best I can do is raise my left arm very fast and it will go all the way up. If I do it slowly and or lift slowly it will only go just above shoulder height. Swallowing just ok, still need lots of water/liquid to eat.
All of the above is more than bearable to live with.
The hardest thing i have to deal with are my teeth and spicy foods. Oh I do not do alcohol of any sort and stay away from second hand smoke.
I suggest to you that you will recovery very well, the problem is for many that it is just not fast enough. Please us wisdom to get thru. It took me almost 2 years to be used to new normal.
Happy Dance for you.
I'm happy for you outcome, and hope your husbands recovery continues in a positive direction. Fisrotpe, I need a email for you, mines strandedintn@aol.com I lost contact of you. Thanks Dennis0 -
Awesome
Good news Pam! Knew you'd do just fine. Merry Christmas!
Bob0 -
well . . . .Pam M said:Yaay, Indeed
Thank You. Been thinking of you guys, too - is the sepsis subsiding?
Rice sock (that's what I call it - I used old, worn out tube socks) does work - also make them with beans. I agree with Patrick - I feel like someone is (gently) choking me - doesn't hurt, it's just odd.
he may not have had sepsis but the antibiotics helped with the swelling on the one side. now it's a whole other issue.
feel like we're a damned if you do damned if you don't position.
This stinks.0 -
Glad to hear the good news.adventurebob said:Awesome
Good news Pam! Knew you'd do just fine. Merry Christmas!
Bob
Glad to hear the good news. I was thinking about you.
I did not have neck surgery, my tumor was excised from inside my tonsil area.
But, after radiation, my smile drooped on the right side, and was only improved by medical massage therapy, that I started in September. Now it looks normal again. My insurance is covering the massages. They also helped with swallowing.
Hugs
Stacey0
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