Cheek cancer

Hello, Sue.

I’m on the post-op side by over a month for a cancer which involved removal of some jaw (rim mandibulectomy) and reconstruction with tissue and artery from my arm as well as a neck dissection.

This sort of surgery is challenging to go through but the surgeons are so experienced and such experts at what they do that the results are much better than we tend to expect when worrying in advance.

Wishing you all the best, and please update us on your progress.

Thank you so much for that. Will uodate things as they happen, all very daunting at mo xx

Hi Sue, my son had his operation yesterday to remove a cancerous tumour in his cheek.  They had to take bone from his leg to rebuild his jaw.  Thankfully he has come through the operation ok, although of course in pain.  His wife called us at 10.40 last night to let us know he was just being transferred to the ward.  I've found being on here has been so helpful and reassuring.  It's very scary for you and your family, we found it scary but the surgeon, speech therapy people, dietician etc have all been so supportive and helpful.  Take care and please keep in touch x

Thank you for replying. I have just had a Pet Scan today and hoping surgery will be soon. They have told me I will possibly need my eye socket rebuilding and some of my top jaw in Titanium. Also a large skin flap will be taken from my thigh plus artery. Will obviously lose all nerves in cheek too and they  will remove my lymph nodes in left side of neck. All very daunting and trying to take lots of deep breaths and stay positive. Glad your son came through surgery ok and is now on his journey to recovery. Does he need radiotherapy too? This is a really good way to chat to people in the same position xx

Hi Sue, my son has to have 30 sessions of radiotherapy and hopefully just a couple of sessions of chemotherapy, but will have MRI scan to check that the cancer hasn't spread further.  Thankfully the consultant believes the cancer has been caught quite early.  My son got the diagnosis 22 April, so didn't have to wait too long.  I've spoken to my daughter in law this evening and she said when she phoned the hospital a little while ago, they said he was comfortable, but little change from late last night, but he had been resting.  Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for your operation.  Keep in touch and take care x

Hi Nimrodsailing. This isn't quite the same but take a look at Dan's story here. Just shows how remarkable recovery can be. 

Dan's story

Wow what an amazing story. Hope I can be that strong

Hi. Don’t worry about being strong. You do what you do because that’s what you have to. Meltdowns are ok. It’s how we cope. You’ll get through a day at a time. Hang on in there. 

Everytime I change the dressing on my face i sing My Fight Song by Rachel Platten. The Alien must go. Its me or it xx

Now that’s a novel coping mechanism. Brilliant. If it wasn’t such a serious issue a whole thread on coping mechanisms would be an interesting read. 
Keep singing even when there’s nothing to do.