Hi,
I am sorry I have asked this before and elsewhere.
The surgery is scheduled for Thu and I just want some last minute info/discussion. I am getting a bit scared and also I have not been staying at the hospital since the last time 12 years ago with colications after child birth. It was very different I guess because I had to look after 1 more person back then because she slept next to me and cried a lot
What was your experience about it?
How many days were you at the hospital?
How did it feel to have the drains?
Could you move normally, go to the loo etc?
What are visiting times like in the ward?
What should I bring with me?
I was told 5 days inpatient... But seen shorter times elsewhere!
Thank you and sorry for repeating the questions.
I have a travel insurance through my debit card as well , Halifax in this case and my consultant said to hold on declaring as we don't know the full extent of my situation yet.
We have my partner's uncle's 90s birthday but I have not been able to commit to is because I don't know the next steps and was too scared to look at insurance yet. This is good to know thanks..
*****
Non-HPV tongue cancer T1N0M0?
Diagnosed Nov 2024.
I hate these 1-10 things. So difficult as everyone’s calibration is different… While I was in hospital, the cocktail of 3 kept the pain at bay. Once I got home, it was less successful . Towards the end of my medication periods - and I staggered them so that I would have a more continuous pain relief level - things were starting to get uncomfortably painful I suppose a 6/7 ish. Nurse told me I could add codeine to the mix and suggested regular Laxido to stop me blocking up solid. The only time the pain was, for me, off the scale was one morning when I was taking my tablets…and, as it was before the yoghurt trick was suggested, I was breaking them up to get them down, a fragment got caught in my throat and burned like hell. After the addition of codeine to the menu I was ok and after the yoghurt hack I could swallow the tablets whole.
Arms: I had been warned that stiffness and pain in the arms and shoulder could occur. In the immediate aftermath of the surgery I was fine…but as time went on, and I really can’t remember when, I was unable to lift my right arm under its own steam beyond shoulder level in any plane. Even simple things like drying my hair morphed into a Heath Robinson improvisation to prop up the hair dryer and manoeuvre into the airstream. Comical with hindsight, but it was that or entrust the job to my husband whose skills in this area are better applied to a leaf blower! I enlisted the help of a physiotherapist and with exercise and some work with weights things got easier….and then, suddenly for no cause I can identify, I found I was able to raise my arm as before and things were back to normal. Only one arm was ever affected and even with the ‘bad’ arm I never had any problem with lifting a glass or phone….just things like reaching into kitchen cupboards with my right hand were difficult…..but, as promised by my surgeon, temporary.
Liz
We are all different when it comes to the after effects on the shoulder. It all depends on what has happened to the accessory nerve that controls the arm movements. In my case I could not reach out to pick up a glass but I could heft bags of cement whilst building a summer house in lockdown after the second dissection! Everything was back to normal after around 18 months so now a pint in the pub is no longer a trial
I totally support getting a physio to help regain movement. My GP sorted one really quickly and it was invaluable.
To answer the scar covering - I was sent home with it covered by a large "sticking plaster". I have no problems with the scar nowadays, but refuse to wear a tie as I don't like the constriction around my neck. Well, it is a good excuse not to wear one!
Hi. I had neck dissection, tonsillectomy and tongue base mucosectomy in one sitting. A 4 hour operation and they called my husband to update him on progress.
I was in a small, short stay ward for two nights although they said I could be in for upto 5 days. I took too much in with me and would recommend a wash bag, clean undies and your own comfy pjs. Phone and extra long (2m) charging cable. Assuming you have someone who’ll visit they can bring anything else. I laid out what I ‘might’ need at home so my OH could grab it easily. As soon as I was well enough to want to read or watch telly they sent me home.
I was able to change/wash straight away but needed support to walk to the bathroom as I was wobbly from the GA.
good luck
Strangely enough the food was great. No complaints there. I had a selective neck dissection on the right hand side of the neck.
I was able to get headphones in and eat normally. A month prior to this I had had a tonsillectomy and mucosectomy which I found worse in terms of pain. They didn’t staple my neck over, internal stitches were used and then they glued the neck wound over.
I took a bag with a change of clothes for night time and the next day. Though for the first day I was in my gown until night time. My wife brought me up more clothes for the next few days. They have free wifi which I found to be pretty strong. Who is performing your operation, do you know?
Hi, I will DM you!
*****
Non-HPV tongue cancer T1N0M0?
Diagnosed Nov 2024.
It seems I can't without a friend request. Done.
*****
Non-HPV tongue cancer T1N0M0?
Diagnosed Nov 2024.
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007