Update - Cancer of the Nose and Upper Lip

Hi Trish,

Just checking in to see how you are getting on post op.  I hope the abscess has gone and your face has healed a bit more.  How is John coping with Covid and I hope you haven't caught it from him.  Two of our caretakers have gone down with Covid, it hasn't gone away has it.  I am still waiting though.  I went out to a restaurant on Mothers Day with my daughter and enjoyed the meal.  We also went to the the live tour of the Masked Singer last night, I really enjoyed it we had good seats and my daughter was thrilled because Joel Dommett came right by us and she fancies him. It was good to have a night out.  We have booked to go and see Singing In The Rain in June, so something else to look forward too.  Unless of course I get my date for my operation!

Hope to speak to you soon.

Heather

Hi Heather,I never caught the Covid which is very surprising. John couldn’t believe it.  I am doing ok got rid of one abscess and another turned up.  It’s good you can get out and enjoy life again. I eat like a 2 year old at the moment due to this flap of skin from my arm.  Just one corner of my wrist is being a bit stubborn in healing itself too.  I keeps dressing off all day which should help the corner dry up a bit  (I’m hoping).  I wish you could get yours sorted as we all have spent a lot of time with this and I think we deserve good things for a change.  My Consultant has ordered an ultrasound around the abscess area and I’m going for that tomorrow.  The skin inside my left cheek feels like the moon surface.  Take care and let me know how you go on

Best wishes, 

Hi Trish,

Just a quick one to wish you and yours a happy Easter holiday.  Hope you are feeling better following your surgery and you and John are able to get about if you wish.  Me, I intend to chill out in our newly refurbished back garden, for which I have purchased a swing seat. 

Happy Easter

Regards

Heather

Hi Heather, just going to see the consultant to check on the wrist. John still hasn’t received his licence but I’m still driving so we can get about.  Your Easter weekend sounds just about right, as long as I’m in the shade.  Enjoy your rest,

The Consultant chopped a lot of the hunky yellow stuff off the top of the tendon, it’s not painful at all. As you look at your inner left wrist, that half has gone to put skin below where my nose was as it shrunk terribly with the radiotherapy so facially I look like an elephant that has swallowed it’s own trunk hehe….it will be a couple of months before more surgery is done as they are waiting for the wrist skin to soften more. So the skin from my leg that covers my inner wrist is gorgeous at the right side and 3/4 of the left side, it’s just the top bit on the left and the tendon. I think it looks worse than it is. So bandaged up again and can’t get it wet, back next Wednesday. Can’t fit my rubber gloves on either hehe….. your up to date now.  I wish you could get your date sorted too. 

Hi Trish,

Thanks for your update.  Your wrist problems sound complicated.  At least you have had yours done, I am still playing the waiting game.  Its two years now since my diagnosis and surgery, so I will be getting back in touch after the Easter break, but don't hold out much hope for a date anytime soon.  It may be a good thing you cannot wear your rubber gloves, John can do the housework and washing up,haha.  If you can't get your wound wet, you will have trouble showering as well.

Have a good Easter break and I will speak to you soon.

Regards to you both

Heather

Just posted a message to myself, how stupid am I.  Deleted it now.

Anyway, I have just gone back to work following a lovely time on leave with my family just chilling.  I actually fell asleep in the garden whilst reading my book.  It was heaven.  I have still had no date for my surgery, I will contact them again to day, but don't hold out much luck.  I also contacted the lab to get an appointment for a replacement prostetic nose as my current one is now too big and it fell off in work this morning whilst I was chatting to the cleaner.  I am feeling more like myself lately and have grown in confidence about going out with my prostetic nose, so far, I have had no stares or comments.  I am going to more restuarants now that my appitite has returned.  

I hope John has fully recovered from his bout of Covid and that you are on the road to recovery following your surgery.

Speak soon.

Heather

Hi Heather, lovely to hear from you.  Sorry your still waiting but if you are feeling more yourself make the most of it.  I seem to have been plagued since my last op, just been fighting 3 abscesses/boils on the bottom of my left cheek and have now started with really bad facial nerve pain. I am now waiting for an urgent appointment to see the Pain Consultant.  It’s affecting my sleeping and when I’m awake too I’m a bit of a zombie at the moment.  So not having a good time of it. I’m now waiting for a date for the second op which is to put the bone back behind my top lip.  I’m hoping the next one doesn’t cause as many problems as the last.   Your week at home sounds wonderful and I’m so happy you are feeling more like yourself.  

Yes, John has got over his bout of Covid, I never did get it so that’s one thing in my favour.  He had a funny turn when he was at an hospital appointment with me, the nurse thought he was having a stroke.  He wasn’t it was just the heat and the small room we were in.  They whisked him off anyway and he got a scan etc.. but all was fine.  He’s not been too well again lately with problems with his tummy so is under his dr for this now.  It’s never ending,  I have never known so much illness.  

The DVLA are still dragging their feet with his licence which has been hard for me as I have had to continually drive.

Take care,

Hi Trish,

OMG both of you seem to be having a rough time at the moment health wise.  Why didn't they replace the bone in your top lip at the time of your last surgery?  I hope John is okay after his funny turn, and I would be going mad with the DVLA, that is so long to wait.  Can you make a complaint or something.  Your not really in a fit condition to drive, so it must be hard for you both.  There is nothing more debilitating than constant pain is there, it drives you crazy, all you want to do is take it away.  My heart goes out to you both.

As regards my surgery, I phoned my surgeons secretary and was told that he had asked for a second surgery list and that I was a priority and that she hoped to be in touch with me soon, but I won't hold my breath for that one.

I am looking forward to another three days off work and will try to chill again, weather dependent that is.

You two take care and try to relax as much as possible.  I really do hope that your health starts to improve again and tell John to look after himself as well, sounds like you both need a break.

Speak soon.

Heather

Hi Trish,

Just to let you know that I have my post op appointment next Tuesday.  Hopefully this is the start of my long awaited reconstructive surgery.  I hope to god they don't phone me to cancel it.  Anyway I had an appointment at the lab last week as my prostetic nose was so loose.  She had a look and decided that I had lost a screw from my metal bar that holds the magnet.  So she started to tighten it with a new screw and god it hurt, the pressure was so great.  She said it must have been loose for quite a while given my reaction.  Anyway, she ordering a new part to enable her to use the magnet at the top of my nasal area, so she will give me a call and let me know and I will get a new nose, however, that might be put on hold, if I go in for my surgery.  I am now so hopeful and can't wait to get it done.

I will message you next week to let you know how I get on.

Cheers

Heather