Picky where in north yorkshire are you,and what hospital.i live on the north yorkshire border between harrogate and leeds.

Hi Liz, you won't believe me, but its Harrogate! Mums been assigned to Leeds. Goes tomorrow for her mask fitting. Saw you were from Harewood. Small world

OMG what a small world indeed.I work two days a week at Saint Michaels Hospice on Hornbeam Park and lived in Harrogate for 25 years.I trained and qualified at Harrogate District Hospital and my son and his family still live there.Are you at Saint James or LGI?

hi everyone,
Well, had a busy week with mum preparing her for the operation, I was able to spend time with her as I was off work for a week.

Well the day finally came today sunday to take her in to hospital for 5pm ready for her impending operation at 6.30am tomorrow morning for 12 hours.

Just getting ready to go, had a phone call saying there were no beds on intensive care so not to go in for 5pm. Half hour later, another phone call to take her in but still no beds on intensive care for tomorrow, so we dont know if this operation is going ahead tomorrow or not. Its a joke, messing people around, I know things happen but mum is already worked up anyway about going in, and obviously dad is more confused than ever now. Its not only mums interests we have to think about but dads as well.

So for now, we are no further forward, dont know whats happening.

Will keep you all posted.
Shirley

Hi Shirley

So sorry to hear you and your family (an d particularly your Mum) are having to go through this stress. I know they can't necessarily predict who is going to be admitted, but they really don't seem to realise the psychological effect this uncertainty and waiting has on people. Thee really must be a better way!

I do hope everything works out and your Mum can have her operation tomorrow.

Thinking of you all

Gwyn

hi everyone,

Well my mums operation was cancelled on Monday due to no beds on intensive care, but we were told they hoped to do it on tuesday 30th (original date) my birthday and anniversary.

After a lot of debate, she finally had the operation tuesday morning at 10am, this was the worst day of my life, the waiting was agony, I looked after my dad all day until consultant phoned us to say mum was ok and operation was success, so relieved, I could have hugged him, she came through this massive ordeal.

She got transferred to intensive care, he explained he removed lymph glands in neck, removed tumour in tongue, put flap skin from thigh, and had to take small sliver of jaw, but didnt need to reconstruct jaw, thank god.

Phoned today to see how she is, she had great night, and could be transferred to main ward later on, couldn't believe it.

Went to work, then went to see her in hospital, making my way to intensive care, then we saw them taking her on trolley to main ward. Had to wait when they sorted her out, then went in to see her, I was amazed at her progress, she was trying desperately hard to talk, and getting very frustrated and irritated when no sound coming out.

Know its going to be a long hard journey, and mum isn't the most patient person so will be very hard for her. Going to see her again tomorrow.
Shirley

Hi Shirley, I'm glad your mum's doing well with the recovery.
I couldn't talk for quite a few months after my ops so I know how frustratng it is but at least she is on the mend. Hagg.

Hi Shirley,

Apart from the sliver of jaw that your mum had removed it sounds as if she had the same op as I had last year.

I am so glad to hear she is doing well. As a patient I thought the recovery took a long time but my family could not believe how quickly things progressed after the op.

Best Wishes to you all, take care and keep us informed.

Sue

Hi Sue,
mum is doing really really well, shes sitting in chair, looks very well, bit swollen not much, looks how she used to before losing so much weight, because her face has become so drawn.

Her scar on neck didnt look as inflamed today, her leg where they took flap hurts, drawing, she said. She is trying to talk, getting infuriated when she cant say words, but we are becoming very good at lipreading.

Shes had drains and drips removed from her neck today so that looks better and also catheter removed. Shes amazing, so proud of her, she has been positive and strong all along, and it shows in her progress now.

Her consultant been to see her today, hes very pleased with her recovery, says it will be while before talking and eating, at least 3 or 4 wks in hospital.

One of her nurses, told us her sister in law had same operation as mum 7 yrs ago, and did really well, she talks and eats now, she was only 34 yrs old.

Shirley

Hello Shirley
What great, positive news. Hats off to your Mum and her determination.
It's amazing how quickly things look better once tubes and things are removed and 'the patient' begins to feel untethered.
Isn't it always the way ~ in the thick of things, you will always here of someone who has overcome tragedy such as the nurses young sil. What a shocking time it must've been for a 27 year old woman. Seven years post event she's doing fine. Can't wait to hear about your Mum's 85th birthday celebrations!
Keep your collective chins up (the family, I mean ~ not you Shirley!). Onwards and upwards
Love
Deborah

hi shirley
i am so pleased to hear your mum is doing so well after her operation,it has been a very stressful time for you all,i hope she is soon back home with you all.love shirl xxx

Good Morning Shirley,
You probably don't remember me, I was the second person to reply to your original posting telling us about your mum's problem (16 May) I said at that time that the operation was not as bad as it sounds which you probably found hard to believe. I am delighted to read your recent posting.
The recovery process is quite a long drawn out business so accept any help which is on offer, for your mum AND your dad.
Keep Smiling
John

hello everyone,

Thank you all for your kind replys and your support. Just been to hospital to see her this afternoon, she is still looking well, having lot of trouble with mucus, and coughing. They have done something with the cuff on her tracheo tube so maybe thats why she is struggling today.

She is bit weepy today, only to be expected, after the massive ordeal she has been through, also she needed the commode, rung the bell, and when she finished, the nurse didnt come to her for an hour, making mum very frustrated, this happened twice, the nurse said she should have SHOUTED her,is this woman for real, my mum can't talk never mind shout.

I had quiet word with the nice nurse that mum likes and mum had already told her, and cried in desperation.

Yes John I do remember your kind comments in the beginning, when you told me about the operation. I do know the recovery process will be long and drawn out, do you remember how long you took to begin talking?

Many thanks
Shirley

Good morning Shirley,
The mucus problem is quite normal,I find it surprising that the patient is not told about this beforehand because it is rather disturbing. It takes about one week to reduce to a more comfortable level,but will take some time to clear altogether, there should be a suction device by the bed which the nurse can use to remove the excess.
Speech recovery varies widely from person to person, if you want encouragement have a chat with Gwyn Fraser, I met her at a meeting in London six months after her operation and everyone thought she was a carer not a patient because her speech was perfect.Gwyn is a regular contributer to these pages.
The depression is also quite normal, it creeps in after about four or five days and should soon pass.
I am pleased to hear that things seem to be going well
Keep Smiling
John

Hi everyone,
Sorry havent posted for a few days, been really busy with mum and dad and working. My mum still doing really well, had her tracheo tube out 2 days ago, some sound coming out now.

They told us she was doing so well she would be allowed home by next weekend, but because of the circumstances at home, my dads illness, and mum being his carer, it wouldnt be advisable straight away, so they will be getting the ball rolling to send her to our local community hospital for convalescence for few weeks.

I dont think she is anywhere near ready for home yet, she is not strong enough, she hasnt been walking around yet because of her leg. It will be easier in our town hospital, we can walk there to visit her.

Just come back from visiting now, mum has had a setback, trying to go to the toilet, forgot she was attached to the food pump, and the peg tube has come out of her stomach again, she has no luck with this peg. She was in x-ray when we got there, trying to have it re-inserted, but to no avail, she has had to have nsg nasal tube fitted temporarily until monday, when they will try again. They wont discharge her until the peg fitted. Mum is really distraught and upset, bless her, and also dad is upset, thinking she is in pain. I feel a bit downhearted today knowing she has had to endure this discomfort again.

She has had her clips removed from her neck when we were there, and hopefully from her leg tomorrow 10 days after operation.

Social services have fitted a new back step to her house, and an extra hand rail at the top of the stairs, to help when she comes out of hospital. We are all going to paint and decorate the hall stairs and landing as a surprise for her when she comes home.

She is sounding much more clearer with her speech now, the consultant said it is still a long journey especially with the eating and swallowing, because of the amount of tongue removed.

Shirley