Heya. 

Welcome to the forums in order to start with. It is nice to meet you. Best wishes. You can do this. All of the main cancer research trusts and charities have support groups that are worth signing up to. Find a hobby too. Also see if you can find a good counsellor. 0808 800 4040, call on Tuesday to speak with a nurse. 

Hello KazzieB

I'm sorry to hear that your husband has recently been through extensive surgery for SCC. It sounds like it's been a really difficult time for you both, and while it's great to know you are both seeing daily improvements, it's understandable that he's feeling depressed and anxious about things. 

I'm not aware of any members in our Cancer Chat community who have lost an ear to cancer, but there is a charity called Changing Faces that he may find helpful. They have an online community with people who have all sorts of visible differences, and hopefully, he may be able to connect with others there. 

It's good to know that you won't have to wait too long for the results. You can always ask the surgeon about the potential for a prosthetic ear if this is something that your husband feels he might find beneficial. This information from the Head and Neck Cancer Australia charity might be of interest. 

In the meantime, if it would help to talk with one of our nurses, you're most welcome to give them a call. I know they will be happy to listen and offer any advice, information and support they can. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

Keep in touch and let us know how things go KazzieB. We're here for you. 

Sending you both my best wishes, 
Jenn
Cancer Chat moderator 

Good luck. 

Hello KazzieB

I had a similar operation 11 years ago the SCC mass was above my ear and in parotid gland and lymph nodes in my neck. Although my ear sticks out I did not lose it. My facial nerve was damaged and I had difficulty eating drinking or swallowing or smiling and a drooping face and oedema. A dry mouth from loss of saliva produduction. The first 6 months saw a marked improvement and full recovery was 2 years. No wonder your husband feels depressed and anxious. I did not get much help from changing faces(they are overwhelmed with requests) but their online resources are quite helpful. The hospital is likely the best place to discuss prosthetics. To this day I am not confident going out in social settings because of how I look. However on the plus side Ive had 11 years of good life relatively cancer free until now. 

Things will slowly get better for him and the new normal will be OK.

Ed