Operation

Have you looked at a well known social media Head and neck cancer support  group UK?

They are pretty active and there are a few members there who have had a rhinectromy. You might get a quick reply

I can't help with the surgery but maybe take a tablet and phone and a long charger. Do you listen to books? That might be better than trying to read. Lip balm and mouth gel might be useful too.

Best wishes for the op and I hope you're home soon.

Hi EllieB65. All the best for your op on Friday, you will be in good hands.

Ray.

Thankyou x 

Hi Ellie

Good luck for the op on Friday. I have not had the same op as you but have had 2 maxillectomies and a partial mandibulectomy over the years and each time have been in hospital up to 7 or 8 days. My advice to you is to get up and get walking as soon as possible even if you don’t feel like it. Sit out of bed when you are in ICU as much as possible and when the physio arrives to get you walking go for it. You won’t feel like it to begin with and will drag around because the anaesthetic really makes you feel tired but I found the sooner I got moving the quicker I improved. ICU can be really boring and I was in there for several days so you will definitely find T.V. your phone and an ap such as Audible which narrates a book helps to pass the time. You will find you nod off quickly for a while but that passes.

Don’t push yourself when you get home as recovery can take a good few weeks but small walks get you going over time.

Best wishes

Lyn

Thankyou Lyn for the advice. Much appreciated. Hope your well x 

Hi Ellie

Thank you I am quite well although life is slightly altered but have learnt new ways to get around things as needed. I am just about to go for the second part of my upper jaw reconstructive surgery on Wed. This is only a half hour to an hour surgery to continue working on my upper lip to make it more functional.It is only an overnight stay in hospital so hopefully should be a breeze. (Maybe, fingers crossed) I look 95% better than I did before the first op for reconstruction so am very happy about that. Can't wait to get back to living my life as the ops put a hold on things temporarily. Life is certainly good though and I am enjoying every day. You'll get there too just give yourself some time.

Sending all my best for your op. There will be bad days and good days but over time the good definitely outweighs the bad.

Lyn

Hi Lyn, this is fab news.So pleased you'll only be in for a short time, just a stop over really. 

Hope it goes well for you. So pleased that your happy too. Let me know how it goes x 

All the best for today, Ellie