Follow up after recent maxillectomy

Lyn it's so good to hear from you. You sound so positive... I've sent you a PM and lots of hugs. Keep kicking and get better. I hope you can manage to eat a little soon. These liquid diets are pants, aren't they. Love and hugs

Just popping on to send best wishes for your recovery. I never got on well with the ng tube, so hope you are able to manage without it soon, although it certainly has its uses. Cathyxx 

Hi Lyn

Good  to hear from you and that you are home and feeling better each day.  I can remember having my NG tube in too, very necessary, but happy when I had it  removed. Every step forward is plus to us.  Good luck with your appointment with your speech pathologist on Monday. It is good to know you are getting reasonable night sleep, so important helping with recovery.

Wishing you the very best.

Nicky x

Best wishes for a speedy recovery 

Elaine

Hi Lyn As I said in our pm well done we’re all so proud of you  our mate from down under. Good luck for Monday no doubt you won’t have the n g tube in a moment longer than you need to. Our other half’s are brilliant at standing up to the plate when required. 
hugs to you and Terry 
Hazel 

Hi Lyn.

Great to hear from you and in such good spirit as usual.  I saw your reply to someone a couple of days ago and wanted to say something but didn't feel I should hijack the thread so I'm so pleased you've posted.

Hope your appt on Monday goes well and you can have the NG tube removed.  Presumably they'll also check that any liquid/food is actually going down the right hole and not onto your lungs before they remove it.  I found it incredibly difficult to swallow with the NG tube in place.

My very best wishes to you and big (careful) hugs.

Linda x

I had a follow up visit today after my recent maxillectomy to see my surgeon and to be assessed by the speech pathologist in relation to having my nasogastric tube out and to start eating again.

The surgeon was really happy with the free flap graft on the roof of my mouth and doesn’t want to see me again until the end of March. All the other sites of the skin grafts are healing well.

I was pleasantly surprised with eating. It is quite difficult to get a lip seal as I don’t have any top teeth now and only teeth on one side of my lower jaw. However with a few tips from the speech pathologist and some practice I managed to drink a little from a straw and eat a few teaspoons of food. A bit of a messy process with lots of wet wipes needed to mop things up but I got there.

They are going to take the nasogastric tube out on Wednesday so I have a few days to practice eating. Who would have thought it is something that you need to practice.

It is going to be a bit of a marathon as it takes so long to get each mouthful down but practice makes perfect. The speech pathologist says I have to graze rather than try and eat 3 large meals. Not that I could eat 3 large meals as I run out of steam after a few teaspoons.

So here I am sitting with my trusty Fortisip by my chair taking sips through a straw as often as I can.

It’s a step forward in the right direction and it’s nice to be able to taste something after the last couple of weeks with the NG tube.

Thanks everyone for your support as your words of encouragement have really helped me.

Lyn

xxx

Oh Lyn hang on in there. I was devastated by your earlier news but absolutely astonished at how well you are coping. You have a lovely family at home surrounding you and a family on these pages too. Hugs xx

Hi Lyn Brilliant news, practice makes perfect as they say. Baby steps will get you there plus we’re here if you need a rant. Yes 6 small meals a day as you  say even now some days a full sized dinner plate turns me off lSounds like you are doing really well hugs to you Terry and 3  daughters am sure they will all spoil you. Plus grandkids hugs are special. Onwards and upwards l.Will send you photos when we get away  

Hazel xx

That's great to hear Lyn!  I'm so pleased for you!

I had real difficulty with swallowing after a couple of spoonfuls and was told exactly the same - graze rather than try to eat large quantities.  I'm sure with some practice and more healing your eating will improve.  You're doing brilliantly.

All the best for Wednesday.

Linda x