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Post op partial glossectomy & neck dissection advice

Ruth_c
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Hi guys,

 

So I've just been discharged from hospital after undergoing surgery last Tuesday.  They removed part of my tongue and reconstructed it with tissue from my wrist before performing a full neck dissection.  Originally they were only going to do part of the neck but the day before surgery they had a meeting and decided it was best to remove everything.

 

I was ok the first two days post op then had a what we reckon was a panic attack back on the ward and I ended up having to get the tracheostomy put back in for a few hours but things improved over the weekend and was allowed home last night. I have to go back to outpatients on Friday to get the stitches and dressings removed from my arm.

 

Just wondered if anyone has been through similar surgery and how you found recovery.  Plus if anyone has any meal ideas!  I've been advised to stay on a liquid diet fr a while before moving on to soft foods.  They discovered on Monday that I have tonsillitis on top of everything else so it has been quite hard to swallow anything too thick.

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    Hi Ruth

    You poor luv having a panic attack, I really feel for you but also really glad to hear your out of Hospital and through the surgery.  I've also had part of my tongue removed, 9mm tumour and a total neck dissection on my right side. I had chemo and seven weeks of radio therapy which burnt my neck so I scarred quite badly. my tongue was Jan 2014, neck March 2014 followed by treatment between April and end May 2014. I had a feeding tube in until September. I had check ups every 6 weeks and now it's every 3 months and all good so far. My consultant said 2.5 years after surgery is very promising. Just try and keep positive as remember , ITS GONE now,  so just try and concentrate on getter stronger feeling better . You will feel tired for a while but does get easier. My mouth is always very dry from the radiotherapy and my necks quite sore most of the time but it's fine really. The worst thing for me now is always having to wear a scarf as I can't show people my scares.   You take care and I wish you well kind regards Carol x

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    Hi Ruth

    You poor luv having a panic attack, I really feel for you but also really glad to hear your out of Hospital and through the surgery.  I've also had part of my tongue removed, 9mm tumour and a total neck dissection on my right side. I had chemo and seven weeks of radio therapy which burnt my neck so I scarred quite badly. my tongue was Jan 2014, neck March 2014 followed by treatment between April and end May 2014. I had a feeding tube in until September. I had check ups every 6 weeks and now it's every 3 months and all good so far. My consultant said 2.5 years after surgery is very promising. Just try and keep positive as remember , ITS GONE now,  so just try and concentrate on getter stronger feeling better . You will feel tired for a while but does get easier. My mouth is always very dry from the radiotherapy and my necks quite sore most of the time but it's fine really. The worst thing for me now is always having to wear a scarf as I can't show people my scares.   You take care and I wish you well kind regards Carol x

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