Hello Mike Just to answer your queries about the soft tissue graft. I asked my surgeon to take the graft from my left wrist as I am right handed (which then meant they would take the reconstructing bone for my jaw from my right leg, as they have to work on opposite sides of the body - I know this is not happening to you!) and, as you say, there has to be a good blood supply. I only felt pain in my arm when the nurses had to change the dressing, which is about a week later as they leave it as long as possible for the graft to take - you will have a skin graft taken from (possibly) your thigh to cover the wrist area.

Once you are out of hospital and the bandages are off your wrist you MUST be vigilant in moisturising the area. Lashings of E45 cream at least 3 or 4 times a day and cover with an elastic bandage (the nurses will show you what to do) As with all my scars I don't hide them away under clothing - people just have to get used to seeing them, as they are part of me! That said, you must keep your wrist covered when you are in the sun.

You are young so you will have good healing tissue and there should be no reason why you can't use your right hand once things have healed up.

I will be thinking of you on Wednesday and saying a prayer for you (and your Mum)on Thursday. All good wishes Bx

Good Morning Mike,
Re.your question on numbers,in the UK there are about 4500 mouth cancer patients diagnosed per year,90 per week.
I didn't really need any help with speech,I decided that I was going to master that on my own.
Take note of what Brenda says,she has a lot of personal experience to call on,and a whole heap of common sense. E45 is a must and her comment about not hiding the scars is so very valid.There are two ways of approaching this, one is to hide the facts and pretend it didn't happen and you will find it is harder to bear and the people around you will be nervous in your company.Follow the Brenda philosophy and people will be at ease in your company and you will regain normality more quickly, albeit the normality will be a little bit different.Keep your chin up old chap and.....
Keep Smiling
John

Thanks Brenda and John for that.

The Consultant did also mention that if one keeps the wrist active (stress balls etc) then it should not cause too many problems.

I am doing my best to get the Positive Mental Attitude that I know will see me through this. It's hard at times, and today I just felt like asking for my life back! But, I know this IS my life and I have to live it to the full.

All the messages here have been so useful. And its so nice to actually hear from people who have been through similar experiences.

I totally agree with you both about not hiding scars etc. I was even day-dreaming today about having a card laminated explaining why my speech is poor (if it is, I HOPE not and like you John will work real hard at that one) so that people would understand. I am not afraid of this disease and refuse to hide it. I'm not about to go shouting in the streets and shoving it down people's throats but I will own what has happened to me. And you are so right about claiming those scars as part of you. I plan to do exactly the same.

Its great weather here today (like most places I think) and I have just had a family BBQ (in my honour! Pre-op send off!!) and my nephews made me some lovely cards to wish me luck and I'm back home now. Was feeling a bit low and decided to jump in here to get some good old positive thinking.

Oh! How does one get a pic of oneself on the board? I got as far as the add url bit but don't know what to do from there!?!?!

Thanks guys.

Much love and smiling through the clouds

Mike

Good Morning Mike,
I think you are going to be fine, keep up the positive attitude.You may not need the cards but they are a good idea if you do.
Tho picture was a problem for me too,I have asked Krishan to give you a hand,He will contact you.
Keep Smiling
John

quote:

Originally posted by Maybemike:
Oh! How does one get a pic of oneself on the board? I got as far as the add url bit but don't know what to do from there!?!?!

Mike, email me your photo and I'll get your pic on your profile.
Regards, Krishan

Thanks Krishan.

Dear all

Just wanted to post a last message to say THANK YOU for all your kind words, info and support over the past few weeks. This site has been so valuable.

I go in tomorrow at 10am and they operate the following day. I'm feeling okay, if a little nervous now and again, but I know that the real nerves won't start till I actually get there. Typical actor, saves energy till the big show!

As soon as I can I will jump online to tell you how the op went.

Much love

Mike

All the best Mike, I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. Your in good hands.

Best Wishes Mike ,Speak to you soon.
Keep Smiling
John

Just wanted to wish you well for tomorrow Mike.

You are right, this network of people are great, and very well informed - considering they have all been there and got the t-shirt!

All i can say is, yes, use the E-45/non perfumed moisturiser to your doner site (where they harvest the skin graft + graft bed, where your free flap was taken from), and as heeling continues, Piriton is excellent for post op itch (the healing process).

The only other advise i could give, would be, how about an MP3 player, or portable CD player, so you can tune in to music if you have probs sleeping?

Otherwise, keep up the Positive thoughts, and best wishes to you and your family

S

Dear Mike,

You and your family are in my heart. I too add my well-wishes along with all the others.

Mike, the hands of skilled and caring people will be guided tomorrow by a power much greater than all of us. I will ask my Lord to keep you especially safe and close as the hour of surgery approaches, and continue to hold you in the palm of His hand in the weeks and months upcoming.

Hoping you do rest tonight and, upon awaking, I just pray that God will provide the gift of true inner peace... an unexpected calmness in the morning... and you will have assurance in your heart that, (although this is not something you ever envisioned occuring at age 29), everything is going to be alright.

Tomorrow I will be with you and "mum" in mind and spirit. Draw strength from all those who love you.

From my heart,

Melanie

Good luck tomorrow Mike!! Och the noo!
It's great news that you don't need a radical neck dissection. That will much lessen the post-op discomfort. These ops not uncommon and your surgeon will have carried them out(successfully) by the bucketload.
Looking forward to hearing from you again after the op.

Look after yourself - Tony K

hello
My husband who had squamous cell carcinoma in his tongue and had tongue surgery, didn't have the kind of graft that you guys are discussing. The surgeon used the muscle of his breast, he twisted it, passed it through the neck and attached it to the remaining tongue. They removed 2/3rds of his tongue out and used the muscle of his breast instead. I am wondering if anybody else has a similar procedure.

Unfortunately, I don't think the idea was a good idea because my husband couldn't raise his head after the surgery. My own naive opinion (I don't know anything about medicine) is that the muscle of his breast was too short. That is why he couldn't raise his head to the normal upright position.

I am wondering if anybody out there had a similar tongue surgery and what the result was.

Thank you
Dan's wife

Greetings to my friend, Mike!!!

I know you feel lousy and do not expect you to be typing updates on this message board right now... BUT, if you happen to log on just to scan any time soon... Please know that I am wishing you well and here if you need me.

Prayers still going up daily on your behalf

FMH,

Melanie

Dear Mike

I don't know if you are lucky enough to have those snazzy screen above your bed that allow you to access the internet (as long as there are no pop ups!). I had SCC removed from behind my left cheek in Feb 2006. I was on the slab for almost 12 hours and had most of my upper jaw and all of my left eye removed as well. HAve just completed radiotherapy and am getting over that inconvenience as I write.

Anyway, my reasons for writing. If you are anything like me, you probably feel the first week has been a complete drag; limited mobility catheters etc. I have to tell you that the second week is so much better. I know all the medical staff tell you that you will feel so much better and all you feel is crap, but it is actually true and as you already know remain positive and move on. I used to write a set of daily goals in hospital, nothing too hard but I wanted to make sure I had things to to, be it physio, tidying my cupboards, monitoring fluid intake and output, writing my journal etc.

From everything I have read it looks like you have the right attitude, and don't go back to smoking! You would be amazed some of the conversations I have overheard (especially from the older men) in radiotherapy clinic about how and when they manage to sneak cigarettes!!

Would love to know how our Mikey is doing. Still praying faithfully, my friend. Anything we can do to help you?