5 weeks post-surgery (RFFF)

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I saw my surgeon a week ago because I was concerned about a couple of developments. At the side of my flap reconstruction, on the palataoglossal arch (aka tonsillar pillar), this odd looking "blank pocket" appeared. It is a small cavernous hole about 3-4mm deep, 3-4 mm wide. There was also the emergence of a faint white "spot" at the juncture of my tongue where it has been stitched up. My surgeon said that the pocket was just my "new normal" as the mucosa will change and morph its appearance. He could not really see the white spot, so basically said there was nothing to worry about. 

Over the week, another pocket and spot appeared, which made me nervous. I texted a photo to the on-call ENT doctor last weekend who reassured me that nothing appeared abnormal to her. I also sent the photo to my surgical team. The nurses, again, told me that odd changes are going to happen and that I am still in early stages of healing.

The white spots had been stinging/buring all week so I started to suspect I had a fungal/yeast infection. I saw my primary care physician yesterday who agreed that it looked like that, so she prescribed Nystatin oral rinse. I will start using that soon.

Last night, I noticed a red swelling that has developed next to one of the pockets. There was an odd appearance there so I wiped it with the end of a Q-tip. Apparently, it was a completely dislodged suture floating around in that area. I suppose the redness is the remaining healing tissue from being stitched. I am trying not to look at the wound too much because doing so does seem to just cause unnecessary worry.

My surgeon had tried to get me to relax a bit, telling me that I am "out of the woods," but I tend to overthink everything. It is very hard to wrap my head around what seems to be contradictions: out of the woods AND still in early stages of healing after major reconstructive surgery. Thankfully, the results of bloodwork that was done yesterday definitely provide reassurance of the reassurance (of the reassurance, and so on, as that is all I keep getting :) ). All of the labs are normal even platelet count which had been off the charts during acute post-op period.

So, other than tackling this minor infection, I am starting to feel like I am in good stead. 

(I would add a photo but not sure the members of this forum would respond to graphic images.... I will also try to come up with summary signature when I get a chance!)

  • (I would add a photo but not sure the members of this forum would respond to graphic images.

    These aren’t allowed and would be removed. 

    It certainly sounds like bits of ejected suture material are moving around ( speaking as a retired surgeon) so I would take their advice and try to relax a little. I know it’s hard especially as Google has so many bad diagnoses but I think your team knows best. 
    Best foot forward. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Hi anaserene. I have stopped looking in my mouth and feeling around as when I do it gives me too much anxiety. I always seem to find a small lump or something that doesn't look right. I have asked my surgeon a couple of times when I have found these and he always takes it seriously and has a good look around and feels where I have located said lump. He always reassures me and says that everything is O.K. and nothing to worry about. I just don't know what I am looking at or feeling and it would seem that these things are quite normal.

    I'm leaving it to the expert now as I still have 3 monthly reviews so my surgeon should pick up anything out of the ordinary and my stress levels will not get out of hand as I have complete faith in my fantastic surgeon.

    Lyn

    Sophie66

  • I am glad that what I am experiencing is not unique at all. Thanks for chiming in!