Neck dissection and return to work

Hello Lollry and welcome to the group. Firstly, brilliant news that your other half needs no radio/chemo because those are the bits that take a long time to recover from. My consultant told me that the surgery was the "easy" bit and I have to say he was right.

I didn't have to go back to "work" because my wife is disabled so my job is to be her carer (roles got a bit muddled at times during treatment obviously) but I think that unless your hubby does a very physical job he should be able to go back fairly soon; can't really put a timescale on it but basically when he feels up to it.

And the trip to NZ? I vote for crazy fun, especially as it's OK with the doc; I'm jealous, always wanted to visit there. 

Hi Lollry

Good to hear your husband doesn't need any further treatment.  I found my surgery much easier than the RT and chemo which I had to have afterwards.

As for returning to work it does seems to vary so much from one person to another.  Took me several months to return but there were several factors which held me back.  I suffered badly with fatigue from the chemo, and the menopause which it bought on, and I was also on tube feeding for 8 months.  Hopefully as your husband is much younger than me, and has had less treatment than I did,  then he can return much quicker.

It helped me a lot to have a phased return to work and I would recommend that to anyone.  Also I think it's important to explain to an employer about any side effects and how they might affect you at work.  Mine had not appreciated that my dry mouth and temporary hearing problems would make it very difficult for me to use a phone or speak to clients at first.  Once I explained they were more than happy to adjust my duties until I had recovered a bit more.  

If the Consultant says the New Zealand trip is OK then yes I would definitely go for it!  Come back and tell us all about it and have a fabulous time.  x

Hello Lollry, so pleased to hear that the operation was successful it does take the weight of our shoulders when the consultant gives us this sort of news . My work was 100% heavy manual work in a shipyard and done a phased return after six months although i did have radio and chemo after my operation so like Margaret it delayed my return . I would say that the recovery is consistent after surgery alone but not if futher treatment is done as the side affects can be very demanding in some cases ,so hopefully you will be ok . I would say go for the crazy fun option also as it will do you the power of good ,i believe MikeO might be able to point you in the right direction about insurance . Wishing you and your family all the very best , take care .

                                                                        Chris .

Hi Lollry

Have to agree with what everyone has said so far.  If your husband is feeling up to it and the consultant has given approval go for it. 

I had an op to remove the tumour plus left neck dissection on 7th June this year then radiotherapy.  Unfortunately for me I've been experiencing a lot of problems with my left shoulder and arm due to nerve damage from the dissection and then on top of that the radiotherapy has affected my voice and neck.  I am a gardener so a return to work is completely out of the question at the moment and will be until such time as I can use my left arm again and my neck recovers.  A return to work very much depends on the type of work, physical ability and how each individual recovers.   Margaret gave very good advice regarding employers.

Tips for recovery I would say heed the advice given by the team, especially regarding exercises.

Hope your husband continues to make a really good recovery and you all have a brilliant holiday.

Linda

Similar treatment for me, Linda, following tonsil cancer etc., and half neck dissection.  I dodged chemo but had 30 sessions of radiotherapy.  That ended in May this year.  I have returned to work mid-September on reduced hours and some different duties.  My shoulder/arm has pretty much got back to normal ~ or as normal as it was ~ but it's taken time, and I doubt if I could do heavy gardening work even now!

I am finding the cooler weather very challenging in terms of jaw/face/neck pain though.  I've ordered a couple of balaclava type things to help keep it warmer.  It even bothered my in Cyprus last month, in terms of sea breeze and air con!  lol.

I think the shoulder/arm thing is fairly common after a dissection.  I was certainly advised beforehand that it may be an issue but I was still surprised when I went to move my arm that no matter how hard I tried I just could not raise it any higher!  Like you, I will be investing in extra layers to wrap around my neck to protect it from the cold. 

Great that you've been able to return to work and your employer has been accommodating.  Here's to continued improvement!

Linda

Thanks everyone. It’s so helpful having this way of connecting with others. We booked the trip on Friday and leave in 2 weeks! My husband seems to be picking up every day and we’re really hopeful for him to return to work when we get back from our trip in early December, take care x

I know this is a late reply, I was given the all clear by my GP and Oncologist to go to Portugal 3 weeks after my neck disection surgery. It was only a weeks trip, I went with my 83 year old Mum. We both wore hats and I tried to stay out of the sun. I swam in the pool but kept my neck dry using a float to stay above water. 

I have to admit to feeling a bit anxious but I kept reminding myself that I’d been medically cleared for the trip. Neither of us had holiday insurance as it cost way too much, we  just took our E11 cards and didn’t do anything reckless. 

Despite our anxiety we look back and are glad we went. It was a great distraction from the surgery and helped me move on. I came back to start my radiotherapy and chemo so I didn’t know when I would get a holiday in future, as such I’m glad we went. I think you should definitely go. 

I’d say try not to be anxious and relax, have some neck support for the flight.

You are lucky not to need further treatment. I agree with Mike that recovery from RT and Chemo is by far the most challenging and long drawn out process, so go for it and go crazy if you can. I’m deeply jealous 

see how your husband feels after the trip before making a decision about returning to work. 

My feeling is if you are too fragile for a holiday you are definitely too fragile to return to work

good luck and have fun xxx 

I had a partial glossectomy June 4th, 3 lymph nodes were found positive for cancer so I have to have radiotherapy, the hospital and my doctors are  in awe of my recovery, my speech is a bit slurry and I lisp like Daffy Duck , I’ve not yet started radiotherapy as my consultant feels it necessary I recover a bit before hand. As for work I am a carer and given I work with vulnerable older adults I feel my ability of communication is somewhat compromised. 

I think life is for living as grab at every possibility 

Nicki x