I have recently been diagnosed and had cancer removed from my cheek.

Hello. I too had an operation for mouth cancer and a neck dissection about a month ago. I had a graft taken from my arm.

My post-op experience is similar to yours.

All sorts of strange tingling and areas of numbness and also, in my case, swelling on neck.

I think anywhere nerves are damaged some numbness or tingling is to be expected. As I understand it, nerves can repair slowly so some sensation will return in time.

I’ve made some progress recovering in the weeks since my op, but still feels like I have quite a way to go.

Wishing you all the best.

Thank you CathyLovesFlowers.

That has helped a lot and I wish you a full and speedy recovery.

I'm rather worried about the radiotherapy treatments that I will be having.

A friend of mine called me today to say her friend had radiotherapy and has had awful side effects including the permanent loss of voice. 

I’ve only had surgery, but there is a lot of good, experienced advice on here from people who have had radiotherapy, and I’m certain someone will be along soon to address any concerns you have.

Thank you. I'm glad you didn't have to have the radiotherapy.

Hi Vicki and welcome to our little community. Have a word with your CNS about the fears you have over side effects. They can be significant but nobody gets all of them. For sure your cheek will be targeted and as they found no cancer in your lymph nodes maybe your neck will be spared. You should ask. Modern radiotherapy is very accurate and the radiologists will go to great lengths during planning to spare as much normal tissue as possible. 

You might expect some skin reddening and you might well get some ulceration inside your mouth but all these can be managed so please don't fret over what's to happen.

A word of advice, do not Google. The pages are full of outdated and inaccurate information....

The people to ask are your team and folk here.

Good luck 

Yes, it is only my cheek that will be targeted.

Thank you very much for your advice, it has helped me a lot.

Best wishes to you

Vicki

Hi Vicki 

welcome to the club none of us want to join. As Dani says please please keep away from Dr Google it’s unregulated and anyone can put anything on there stick ti tried and trusted sites like  on here and people like us. I had 35 radiotherapy sessions for tonsil cancer plus chemo .The radiotherapy doesn’t hurt snd it’s highly targeted ti ensure it onky reaches the parts that need it the radiographers are highly skilled at what they’d I. Side effects rarely  happen in first week you’ll get reddening of skin snd possibly ulcers inside your cheek. You’ll be given painkillers in varying strengths and take then. Pop back on ask any questions 

good luck Hazel xx

Thank you Hazel. I will be taking your advice re Google.

Gosh you have been through it, thank goodness you have come out the other side.

My tumour was only in the cheek. It was rather large which meant that they could not take out the extra 1mm of flesh that they like to remove for safety. There was no cancer found in the nodes in my neck so the radiotherapy will only be targeted at my cheek.

I have been feeling very afraid and anxious but after hearing from you guys on here I am feeling a little more reassured.

Thank you to everyone for listening to me and responding.

Good wishes to you all.

Thank you am living my life to the max. 
Good luck keep in touch 

Hazel x

Hi Vicki

Glad your operation went well. Isn’t it funny how someone always has a dramatic story of something that happened to someone they knew when they had cancer. It’s a bit ghoulish.

I also was very apprehensive before I had radiotherapy but came through with help from painkillers and support of my team and then it was behind me and I could get on with life.

Take it one day at a time and keep in touch with the forum as there is always someone here who can help you with any questions. Your medical team will be right behind you supporting you so let them know of any concerns you have.

Best wishes during your treatment.

Lyn