TORS

Hi TRE423 

I didn’t have the surgery you describe but maybe the simplest explanation was that the robot wasn’t available at the time they wanted to explore his neck. We live in strange NHS times. Fingers crossed they get good margins and he can avoid any further treatment 

I'd not be worried about the 2 surgeries being separate entities.  I would be grateful that the lymph has no interaction outside of the node - maybe that was what they were looking for prior to deciding on the best course of treatment.  I did not have TORS when they had goes at my tonsils.  Are the looking at base of tongue as well?

The tonsillectomy will be somewhat painful.  The pain only lasts until about day 10 or 12 and after initially disappearing around day 3 comes back with a vengeance a couple of days later.  Take all the painkillers on offer and count down the days. I did find that honey worked really well in the healing and pain control.  Take a teaspoon when taking the meds.

He should be good to eat all the way through recovery.  Start with soft things including ice cream and build through things like shepherd's pie.

With luck he will be able to just stop at the surgery and will not need chemoradiation.

Thank you.  I'll ask about the tongue but they already did a panendoscopy and said there was no cancer there... but I'll confirm.  

I'm sure from what you have said there is no base of tongue issues.  As I said, I had good old fashioned surgery on my tonsils.  I think they were using the robot for more complex surgery, but if it is an option certainly take it.

@TRE423 

Are you part of the PATHOS trial? 

Dr. Confirmed today he'll take both tonsils no issue with bad of tongue! The OR is booked for only 2 hours which surprised me fur since reason. Thanks again

No.  It's my husband but he is not.  It has just been confusing because we had 2 sets of doctors with varying Treatment opinions. Fingers crossed

TRE423 said:

No.  It's my husband but he is not.

Yes of course, and I'm sorry.

If you have time maybe you could pop a potted history up in your profile. There are so many posts here that it can sometimes be confusing and lead to replies not being spot on. A quick referral to somebody's profile is so helpful.

My husband had this done 5 years ago this December. He recovered well. He was in hospital for 48 hours. He has it done on the 5th December and managed to eat a small Christmas dinner on Christmas day. He also had to have radiotherapy treatment afterwards for 6 weeks. That was a bit more challenging to contend with especially from week 3. Saying that he has made a good recovery . He was aged 67 .