Second diagnosis surgery

Hi Annie

I'm so sorry to hear your husband's diagnosis.

Do you know what type of surgery is planned?

Linda

Thank you for your reply

My husbands having teeth removed neck dissection to remove lymph nodes. Arm flap to re line the throat. They’re having to break his jaw. I believe he’ll be in hdu for 2 days with a 2 week stay. Breathing and feeding tube. All of this is too much information for me and is all we can focus on. 

Hi, aa, I am so sorry to read that your husbands cancer has come back. I'm afraid that I don't have any advice to give you on this, only to say that your husband has got through this once before and he will be able to do it again. Try to focus on the fact that the DR. is positive that they can remove it. Try to stay strong for him, you will both get through this together. All the very best to you both.

Kindest regards Ray.  

Hello aa,

I'm sorry to read your husband's cancer has returned. It's particularly hard when you think everything has almost got back to normal and then you feel like you've had a slap in the face again!

From what you've described it sounds almost identical to mine except mine returned 18 months from end of treatment the first time.

I had a mandibulotomy and lip split to enable them to reach the back of the throat and reconstruction of tissue, muscle and skin taken from my thigh. It will be a tough time for you all but he will get through it. 

Recovery will be longer but I'm enjoying life again and your husband will too! (have had to accept a few changes) 

Wishing you the very best over the coming months and if you want to ask anything ask away or add me as a friend.

Good luck

little-fi x

Hello aa, so sorry to read that the cancer has returned and your husband is going to have surgery , I know what it feels like when it returns as it happened to me twice but in different areas but on the positive side it has not returned in 10 years and my consultant said there is not much chance of it returning so there is light at the end of the tunnel especially as his consultant is confident he/she can remove the tumour. It all sounds scary but having a neck dissection and breaking the jaw is quite common in this sort of operation as well as the skin graft from the forearm. I have had skin grafts and a new jaw bone during my cancer journey and they have all healed ok , I found the most uncomfortable bit was having a trachy fitted in my neck so I could breathe ,once that was removed I was so happy and just slowly recovered taking one day at a time and dealing with the good and bad days . Try not to go onto google etc as it makes any operation ten times worse , I know you are all worried as its out of our control so we put our trust in the hands of  the highly skilled consultant and his/her team who have done this procedure many times before . Please re-post if you have any concerns as we will try and help and reassure you both . Wishing you the very best for Monday , take care .

                                                                Chris x

Very sorry to hear this, it must be a devestating blow.  Did your husband have any symptoms to suggest it had returned?  

As other have said the fact that doctors have discovered it and are positive that I can be removed is a very good sign.   Your husband has done it once so hopefully will manage again with a full recovery.

Sending best wishes 

Marie

Hello

thank you for your reply. No symptoms. My husband had felt and looked the best ever in the  last 2 years.  The consultant noticed an ulcer in his throat at a 3 monthly checkup. 

So here we are  hoping and praying for a positive outcome  

Hi there 

well here we are 10 days on from 13 hour operation. Same as you I think lip split mandibulotomy and muscle etc taken from arm to reconstruct inside throat and neck dissection. To say this has all been tough is an understatement!! But looking at my husband today he’s remarkable. He’s gone through such a lot and still is but coping so well. When I think back to that first day on hdu and to now my husband has made amazing progress and possibly coming home in 2 days. I know we have got such a long recovery ahead of us. I’m too afraid to ask what’s next just taking each day. I’ll post again soon x

Hi aa, so pleased the operation went well for your husband, and is recovering ok , I know it can get tough at times but when you look at the progress he has made it all seems worth it , Yes we do look quite rough on the first day on hdu, and quite honestly its a very vague period from what I can remember ,or not . Wow that would be great if he is allowed home in 2  days as it will make him feel 100% better , You do have a long road ahead but as each day passes it becomes another day of recovery , this should get easier once the swelling comes down and the scars begin to hear . Im really am so happy for you both , take care and i look forward to your next update , all the best .

                                                                                       Chris .x

aa

so pleased that you are both coping well

I’ve thought of you both over the last few days