Hi folks, an update on John. He’s still in hospital, three weeks now, due to have a PEG inserted today, I hope that we will get an idea of a release date soon.

The flaps are taking well, the jawbone was rebuilt using his left fibular and the inside of the mouth rebuilt using tissue and skin from the ankle/calf of the same leg. A large flap was taken from the abdomen to rebuild the ‘outside’ of the chin/neck, so he got a ‘tummy tuck’ as a freebie! there was plenty spare here, the donor site was clipped back together, the ankle had a skin graft which is healing beautifully.

The speech and language therapy team have been paying regular visits to check the swallowing function, unfortunately sips of water still induce coughing so we’re waiting for the swelling to go down before anything can be taken by mouth.

An internal stitch (from when the tracheotomy was installed) was removed a couple of days ago, so he’ll have another scar to add to his collection, this wound doesn’t look so happy, its been swabbed and is MRSA positive which is an added complication.

My coping strategy has always been to research as much as possible about the situation that I find myself in, for any others of the same ilk, here’s an interesting article, I’ll post it elsewhere to start a new thread
newScientist


I'm camping out to be near the hospital, relying on a mobile phone connection for internet access, so can't get here as often as before but will visit whenever I can, the community spirit here is fortifying.

I just wanted to say that I hope & pray everything will get better (even a little at a time) for both of you and your family.

Please don't forget to take care of yourself as well!

R xxxxx

Dear Jenbee. I am a recovering tongue carcinoma patient....though mine was killed off with intense radiotherapy, which left me with some rotten side effects. Peg fed for five months. sounds like your john has really been through a tough time with surgery and all.Wish him all the best from me and i hope he makes a full and well earned recovery from his operation. steve.