Surgery

Hi

I had surgery only. 2 neck dissections (right only) and my tonsils out as well as biopsy on my base of tongue. 

The neck dissections I found very easy to cope with. The surgeons were good and did not make particularly large incisions.  They managed to leave the main nerve for my arm intact - that is a big bonus.

I had stitches and staples. Neither was better than the other and good recovery in about 10 - 14 days. 

I've lost feeling in my right neck, chest and shoulder from nerve damage. It feels strange but you get used to it. Shaving became an art, but it's now not a problem. My right arm is sore, but nowhere near as bad as it could be if they had done more than just aggrivate the nerve. You probably need to talk to the clinical team about your risk . There are other risks around muscles controlling the smile etc. I think they are reasonably low, and I had no problems. 

Lasting issues for me are saliva is reduced and thick (it still happens with surfer and not just RT). I drink lots of water! Eating is OK. As a mild hay-fever sufferer I think the irritation in my throat is considerably worse, probably because of the tonsils. One downside is that alcohol (red wine and gin) makes my throat very dry. Beer is OK! 

Although nothing like you will have on your tongue the biopsy did not worry me. That may be because they also did a biopsy on my tonsil at the same time.  Be thankful they are not touching your tonsils! 

Ask any other questions. I hope this helps. 

Thank you .

Hi Bradlou

I'm truly sorry to read of your recurrence.

Have they given you any details as to the surgery on your tongue?

Peter has given you quite a lot of useful info regarding the dissection.

Linda x

Hi linda,

all I no is I'm to have part of base of tongue removed and neck dissection will no more after biopsy and speaking to my ENT consultant just a little anxious as don't no what to expect such as do all patients with this type of surgery go to ICU and have trachea dreading another PEG had nothing but problems with last one . 

Hi Bradlou

I think once you have a bit more info regarding the surgery on your tongue someone will be able to give you more of an insight as to what to expect - there are various types of surgery.    I did have surgery by robotic procedure but you might have something different.  Sorry I can't be of any more help at the moment.

Good luck with the biopsy.  Do you have a date yet?

Linda x

Just to respond to the post surgery... My first neck dissection involved a 24 hour stay as the inserted a drain, but there was no fluid in the drain in the end. The second  dissection I was in and out in under 24 hours.

I'm not sure why they would do a tracheostomy, but I'm not an expert