Hi everyone my name is Mandy and I have been told this is a great place to be if you need to talk ❤︎

Thank you ray,I have till Tuesday till my op now but I will come in here after and hopefully help people myself with my experience x

Wow that's an enormous amount to deal with.  You have every right to blabber, so blabber  away.  I wish you all the luck in the world with your treatment and recovery.

This site has been my late, sleepless nights friend. Can always find something to read and follow. Lots of people on here in thecearly hours.  Stay in touch with us, we all need each other!!!!!    X

Hi Mandy

It is a shock when you initially have cancer diagnosed and then have to get your head around a big op. It’s a balance between getting too much info that might panic you but getting enough to be prepared. Take some deep breaths as you will be fine it is the unknown that is worrying but your medical team are really experienced so you can have every faith in them.

I have experienced a partial mandibulectomy and neck dissection followed by radiotherapy and several years later had further surgery involving a graft from my forearm so have experienced some parts of the op you will be having. You wake up with quite a lot of tubes in you but most of these are taken out before you leave Intensive Care with the exception of the Nasogastric tube. Mine was taken out before I left hospital. I found that there was no pain involved at all though they do give you regular pain relief.

If my experience is anything to go by you can be totally reassured that the medical team do everything to make you comfortable and look after you extremely well. It does take a while to recover from the op but within 8 weeks I was doing nearly everything that I could do before.

Take your phone in with you to Intensive Care as it can get rather boring. Follow your physios instructions to get moving as soon as possible and you are well on your way in no time.

Best of luck with the op.

Sending positive vibes your way.

Lyn

Thank you so much for your message all this definitely makes me feel slightly calmer about it all im still petrified I won't lie but I'm starting to be more positive about it now instead of fearing the worse,2 more sleeps to go then surgery day xx

Hi me again,sorry I've just read your profile and I just have to tell you that I have so much respect for you with everything you have been through its amazing it really is I feel kinda silly compared to what you have had to deal with I hope I can be strong and stay as positive as you have xx

 Mandy This time next week you will be recovering playing on your phone , Recommend getting audible so you dont get bored . All the Best minmax 

Hi Mandy

It not silly to feel scared and apprehensive before a big op. I felt that way too before my first op. It’s just that I have had 2 more since so have got a bit more relaxed about it as I know more of what to expect.

I am much more upfront about asking questions and making requests in hospital now rather than keeping silent and not knowing what is happening. You can do it politely so the staff don’t get annoyed with you.

Best of luck with the op. Keep us posted.

Sending hugs

Lyn

Hi Mandy.  Just a quick welcome from me and all the best for tomorrow.  Pretty big surgery, some of which I've had. 

My advice is be patient, time is the great healer.  You will recover quickly post op with physical healing.  Your body will take around one month for each hour you are under to recover energy levels etc.  Many of the side effects will take longer to reduce/disappear to a level where they no longer impact you.  That is not said to scare you, just to reassure you that over time, and slowly things do get better and often you don't realise it as it is slow.  Feel free to shout out now, or after, for advice from those who have gone before.

Omg Peter they said my operation might take 8 hours but I think it was more like 6 for some reason , I thought the recovery was 4 to 6 weeks , I feel a bit wiped sometimes , probably in week 6 now 

I got that figure from a doctor friend of mine. 

Much of the initial healing is quickly done, but the body takes time to recover from the effects of the trauma inflicted.  I think what he was trying to say is don't expect too much too soon after the initial healing.  Give it time and have patience. 

Listen to your body and if you need a nap then have a nap.  One thing that definitely helps the recovery is exercise and fresh air.   Getting both will stimulate the body to shorten the recovery process, but like all things; moderation and listening to what your body is saying is key.

Remember that cancer also takes a toll on us, not just the treatment.  I think many of us, even some time on from treatment, feel the need for a rest every now and again.  You'll get there .