Neck abcess post radiation, chemo and neck dissection

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jeepman
jeepman Member Posts: 109
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hello everyone,

I finished treatment (chemo/rads/neck dissection) on August 2 2011. Life has slowly gotten back to a new normal for my wife and I. I have been exercising again and then BAM! .......in a matter of a few days I ways in the hospital in critical care.

I was out of town for the New Year's holidays and got sick, really sick in Alabama. Super swollen, running wild temps airway became compromised and had headaches. The ENT DRs at UAB sent me in for a CT, it showed an ill defined mass. They suspected an abcess and it was. They drained it and took almost 200ml of pus and fluid from the incision. Now it is hurry up and wait to let it heal.

My ENT at UNCCH removed the drain tube and wants me to continue the antibiotics. That is all for now, but please feel free to send words of prayer and encouragement. No biopsies yet, but I am sure that they are headed in that direction.

Thanks,

Mike

Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #2
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    Ouch
    Sorry to hear of your problems. Was this abscess related in location to your radical neck disection?
  • hawk711
    hawk711 Member Posts: 566
    #3
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    longtermsurvivor said:

    Ouch
    Sorry to hear of your problems. Was this abscess related in location to your radical neck disection?

    wow, jeepman
    So sorry to hear of the new issue. I had you pegged for smooth ride to "healthville".
    You have had such good results all along, I'll bet this is a aboration and once it is over, you'll be back on track to smooth sailing again. You have always had such a great attitude and we all get sick outside of the Big C. I had the flu so bad I couldn't talk and was concerned it was more than the flu. It went on for 3 weeks and now all is good. So stay focused on the healing and get better quickly.
    All the best,
    Steve
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #4
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    Healing thoughts
    Mike

    Sending healing thoughts your way that this is nothing more than just an abscess. We all hit an occasional bump in the road along the way. Over 20 months out for me, and I still have a lowered white blood cell count and a tendency toward infections.

    Hang in there. Let the healing continue!

    Deb
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #5
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    Jeepman
    Wow, Mike. I sure hope that this will be the last hurdle for you. Prayers outbound for you.
  • jeepman
    jeepman Member Posts: 109
    #6
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    longtermsurvivor said:

    Ouch
    Sorry to hear of your problems. Was this abscess related in location to your radical neck disection?

    ouch
    Yes, it was exactly below the incision for the neck dissection. My Dr. seems to think this may be nothing except my compromised immune system. I definitely came into contact with some bacteria....

    I will let you know guys know more as this progresses.

    Mike
  • jeepman
    jeepman Member Posts: 109
    #7
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    Thanks for the prayers
    Thanks to all of your guys for the caring and prayers. Hopefully this is nothing but a last hurdle.

    Mike
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #8
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    jeepman said:

    ouch
    Yes, it was exactly below the incision for the neck dissection. My Dr. seems to think this may be nothing except my compromised immune system. I definitely came into contact with some bacteria....

    I will let you know guys know more as this progresses.

    Mike

    Very good
    A PM headed your way.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #9
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    Just When You Thought You Were Safe
    Wow - and you got sick away from home on top of it all. Hope the antibiotics get it all cleared up for you.

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