Operation today

Hi Mrs my mate had a similar operation where they took a flap from his chest and he could feel hair on it . This was about 18 years ago and he is alive and kicking and leading a great life , chewing somethings is an issue but he is always going out eating. Good luck to your Mum today she is in the best possible hands , Dont worry about the food just yet All the Best Regards Min 

Hello MrsM2021 and welcome to the community. I shall tag a friend who is in her last week of radiotherapy after the exact same operation. She should pop on to give you some up to date information.

All the best for your mum today.

Regards Ray.

Hi.

I had a hemiglossectomy and reconstruction my calf tissue at the beginning of October plus a neck dissection.

The tumour was bugger than expected - so “T3” - but histology afterwards showed no spread to my lymph nodes and no metastasises - so T3N0M0.

My operation too was 10 hours at the end of which they placed a nasogastric (ng) tube that fed me for about 10 days.

I was in high dependency for less than 24 hours, but allowed no visitors for the entire fortnight because of COVID.

I wasn’t allowed out until they were happy that I could swallow safely & independently. 

When I got home, I expected rather too much if myself and when kneeling down, split open the do or site on my calf, - 999, ambulance, restitching, infection, antibiotics, high pulse..... so DO make sure she takes it REALLY easy.

I made myself a pile of soups and froze them before I went into hospital, but depending on pain, teeth, reconstruction, stitches etc, texture and thickness may be an issue. I’m sure they will also prescribe some booster drinks - usually Ensure. They are very sticky, but they do the job.

My nutribullettet has been used a LOT - especially as I’m now going through Radiotherapy. I

My iPad and phone were invaluable - I used a nones app to type up what I wanted to say to the consultants.

A few new and clean lipsalves are essential.

I also took my own pretty nighties, lavender oil and posh “smellies” once I decided I could get myself out if hospital gowns after about a week. It lifts the spirits!.

Make SURE that they know what other medication she might be on. She may need to advocate for herself if there’s stuff she normally takes - or can’t take. My tendency to constipation was ignored and I suffered a LOT in è first week.

I hope that’s helpful.

Do shout if you think of anything else. xx

Oh yes - I made broth from chicken BONES, but fish soup is also fab. I’ve used poached salmon (nice and soft) with sweet potatoes (less gloopy than ordinary whizzed potatoes which can stick to the top of your mouth -Bleurgh).

Gently scrambled eggs with tiny bits of ham or smoked salmon cut up if that’s manageable - protein aids healing!

Thank you Panch that’s just what was needed. Hope that last week of yours is going as well as it can be. Xx

Hi MrsM and welcome

Hope your mother in law's operation goes well today.  My father in law had some major reconstruction over 4 years ago and had a PEG fitted so eating wasn't an immediate concern.  He also had a tracheostomy and wasn't allowed to speak for several days but don't know whether this will be the same for your mother in law.

You've had a really good and detailed reply from Panch which has probably covered most of your questions/concerns but do pop back if and when you need to. 

All the best.

Linda x

Hi, 

I had same op November 2017 with flap taken from arm. I had a neck dissection at the same time. I had a tracheostomy for a week, you didn't mention whether your mother was having that. 

I had a RIG fitted before my op so all food drugs etc went through that. 

My op was 12 hours but that might have been because of the dissection. Unfortunately it had spread to one of the lymph nodes so I had to have 33 radiotherapy sessions. 

Feel free to ask any questions

Panch,

This is all so so helpful thank you so much for taking the time to reply in such detail. I have taken everything you have said on board. The operation today went very well the surgeon was very happy with how it went. And said they have done some kind of test to check that they have removed it all? They were waiting the results of that.

She had the neck dissection part done just before Christmas they were planning to do it together but the tongue part was much bigger than  expected. They were clear I believe.

How are you healing panch? With that happening to calf must have been scary  I also stand corrected too they didn't flap from the leg they did arm. Hopefully less chance of splitting like yours as I can imagine she will be a tough patient to rest.

What would you say would be your go to items in the 1st few weeks after being discharged? I would like to put together a box of bits to help that she may not have thought of.

I feel so awful not having been around much due to lockdown and my mum having been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer thats widespread. I feel I've neglected her so want to help as much as I can now.

Thank you so much again though you've helped so much xx

Awww bless you. Have you completed treatment now? Sorry yes I only found out tonight that she has got tracheostomy and they took from arm and not leg so sounds very very similar to you however luckily the dissection was done before Christmas and there was no spread so I don't think she has to have any treatment.

I have no idea on the rig if she has that or not. I am going to try and speak to my sister in law tomorrow.

What would your go to bits be in the few weeks after the op? 

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply xx