First of all I would like to thank all who posted messages of support, it was truly appreciated.Please excuse the lack of formal terms but this is still very new.
April 1st 2005 was a date I was dreading, my husband was going in to have some of his tongue removed and lymph nodes, and a saliva gland.
This was the unknown to us, the only other surgery was when he had his tonsils out at age 7.
The big day came and we were at the hospital early after not having much sleep at all the night before, my husband (Richard) had been having alot of trouble swallowing in the week or so before the op, but we were told that it was due to the tumor on the side of his tongue right at the back. the op was late starting as they couldn't get a tube down his throat, later (during the op) the surgeon came out and told me that the cancer was further than they 1st thought, it was actually on his tongue on the part that goes down his throat, that is why he couldnt swallow.
he said it was approx 6 cm, it was growing (and some cells dying) quite rapidly The "C" was looking for a good blood supply, as cells were dying they were getting infected and had some pus but he hoped that the "C" had not reached the neck, he was waiting for the "margins" to come back from the lab before he continued the operation.
From what I understand that was to see if they needed to cut anymore away.
The margins came back negative, about 5 minutes later and he took the time to come and tell me before he contined the op.
For that I am very grateful.........
He said the Lymph nodes "looked good" but we have to wait for the results to come back for them maybe 10 days away now, I have everything crossed for the results to be in our favor.
He is now in ICU having just been taken off his breathing machine,(ventilator) they put a "stent" in to stop his airway collaspsing and to make it easier to reinsert the nasal tube as they said the throat/ airway is swollen and it was in case they had to reinsert in an emergency (does that sound right?) but after they removed the tube they were going to insert a feeding tube but it wouldnt go in, richard held his hands over his face as he did not want them to try again it was too painul. as of yet he has no feeding tube or peg, he needs to be fed to get strong, what shall I say to them? what should I ask them to do? I have come home after being with him up until a few hours ago, his son is with him tonight, I wanted to stay but I was told if I didnt get some sleep they were banning me from ICU!
I had to listen as the wonderful nurses let me stay by Richards side continuously
in his room the whole time when i was only supposed to be in there 45 minutes 4 times a day! I am praying so hard he makes it ok, he is my heart and soul,please advise what shall I do about the feeding?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,

Hi Sammie

At least operation is over. He will need to rest and he will be monitored closely. The doctors will be aware that he needs to feed. He is probably being nourished for now with a drip, but they will either try a nasogastric feeding tube again or inert a PEG. You can ask his nurse/doctor what they plan to do.

Meanwhile, you need to rest too. Take care.

Best wishes
Vinod

Hi Sammie, It is very hard watching a love one go through this. My husband has throat cancer and he had his voice box removed in December.He was doing well and then he developed a infection in january and they tried putting the feeding tube down through his throat but he was so swollen they could not get it down there so they had to have it done surgically through his stomach. He still has it in and tries to get as much calories as possible with a prescription supplement and he adds blended food to it. I hope everything works out for your husband just be strong for him.
Terry