Surgery on Monday

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kimmygarland
kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
My husband will fight the beast for the third time on Monday. Doctors have decided to remove his oropharynx (2 cm) surgically, and then decide whether to re-radiate him, give chemo, etc... depending on what they find in surgery, clean margins, etc.

So Monday we begin AGAIN. It has been 2 weeks since he was re-diagnosed and we are still all kind of in a daze (us and kids). I am starting to do preparations around the house for during hospital stay and recovery (you know - stocking up on groceries, making sure certain chores are done before hospital, etc.). We are lucky in that we have a son, and he has a daughter that will both be here for surgery and a week - two weeks after. Our son only lives 100 miles away so he can be here every weekend even after that. I am trying not to be overwhelmed and find that dealing with all these details keeps my mind occupied.

My husband is very "down" for lack of a better term. He has always been a very positive person and frankly I am worried about his mental state. He has started on anti-depressants and hoping they kick in. I just feel so bad for him.

Please send up a prayer for us on Monday. Doc says surgery could be anywhere from 5-8 hours depending on whether he has to do a flap from his chest, etc. Of course he'll have a trach for a while, etc. Please pray for clean margins and a complication free surgery and recovery. It will likely be Tuesday morning before I can check in.

I am grateful for this place, I feel like other people really don't understand the devastation this type of cancer causes, and I know people here do.

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  • hislove40
    hislove40 Member Posts: 51
    #2
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    You've got prayers
    I'm so sorry to hear that your husband has yet another battle to fight.
    I'm new but I know how to pray and will be praying for the depression to improve
    Quickly and a very successful surgery with clean margins and speedy recovery.
    I also understand your need to keep busy and keep your mind occupied.
    Hang in there and God bless!!!
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
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    I've had essentially the same surgery he is getting
    a little over a year ago. It took a little longer than the time you just were told. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't nearly as bad as you might suppose. The trache was a nuisance, the NG tube (which was in for about 8 days) was annoying, but not impossible. And it certainly fixed the nutritional part of early convaleswcence. My graft came from the forearm, and that actually didn't hurt at all. I was only on injectable pain meds for a day, then crushed up percocet after that, through the NG tube. Lots of wound care during, and after hospitalization. All very doable. It's hard to tell someone in advance that its not big deal, because it is a big deal.

    But he'll get through it, and sso will you. Here's to a good path report.
  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #4
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    longtermsurvivor said:

    I've had essentially the same surgery he is getting
    a little over a year ago. It took a little longer than the time you just were told. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't nearly as bad as you might suppose. The trache was a nuisance, the NG tube (which was in for about 8 days) was annoying, but not impossible. And it certainly fixed the nutritional part of early convaleswcence. My graft came from the forearm, and that actually didn't hurt at all. I was only on injectable pain meds for a day, then crushed up percocet after that, through the NG tube. Lots of wound care during, and after hospitalization. All very doable. It's hard to tell someone in advance that its not big deal, because it is a big deal.

    But he'll get through it, and sso will you. Here's to a good path report.

    Thanks for replies
    This is actually his second surgery. - longtermsurvivor - he had basically this same surgery with flap from forearm also. That surgery was 10 hours (in 2010); however, doc says tumor is smaller and should be easier to get to this time, thus the reduced surgery time. If a flap is required it will come from his chest this time. Very strange that you mention your arm didn't hurt at all - that was one HORRIBLE looking wound but he says his never bothered him either and it healed up nicely. I'm assuming you had the skin graft from leg to cover forearm.

    He has a peg tube and has been on it since surgery in 2010, so we know how to deal with that. He had the trache last time too - seems like he had it for a couple of weeks after surgery.

    I am trying my best to remain positive and YES - HERE'S TO A GOOD PATH REPORT!

    Thanks again.
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #5
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    kimmygarland said:

    Thanks for replies
    This is actually his second surgery. - longtermsurvivor - he had basically this same surgery with flap from forearm also. That surgery was 10 hours (in 2010); however, doc says tumor is smaller and should be easier to get to this time, thus the reduced surgery time. If a flap is required it will come from his chest this time. Very strange that you mention your arm didn't hurt at all - that was one HORRIBLE looking wound but he says his never bothered him either and it healed up nicely. I'm assuming you had the skin graft from leg to cover forearm.

    He has a peg tube and has been on it since surgery in 2010, so we know how to deal with that. He had the trache last time too - seems like he had it for a couple of weeks after surgery.

    I am trying my best to remain positive and YES - HERE'S TO A GOOD PATH REPORT!

    Thanks again.

    Once was hard enough
    I cannot begin to understand the mental aspects of this a second time. You guys are special folks. Hoping you can catch a break for change and a good report as well!
  • Sue22
    Sue22 Member Posts: 99
    #6
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    ratface said:

    Once was hard enough
    I cannot begin to understand the mental aspects of this a second time. You guys are special folks. Hoping you can catch a break for change and a good report as well!

    New
    Hope it goes well. I will be thinking of you !!!

    Hang in there please. Sue

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