The surgery went exceedingly well by all accounts. Thank you all for your well wishes; they are appreciated! No, I will not be posting pictures of the aftermath. (It’s gnarly.) But hey, I came through it and quite surprisingly, there’s been no pain that plain old Tylenol hasn’t knocked down completely.
That was the first surprise considering what they had to do to access the tumor. The second surprise was that they were planning on discharging me nearly five days ahead of what I’d been planning for. So now, instead of going home next Saturday, I’ll be out on Tuesday—assuming there are no complications within the next 48 hours. The final surprise—one that brought tears to my eyes—came after they transferred me out of the ICU and gave me a speaking valve for my trachestomy tube: I could still talk! Yeah, I sound like I have a mouth full of marbles, but I’m still quite legible! Once all the swelling goes down I’m expecting a full recovery to the voice I was left with after my first match with cancer 22 years ago.
My care team at every stage has been exemplary; the only regret I have is that when I get the eventual survey in the mail regarding my care I won’t have their names to call out specifically for the outstanding service that was provided.
So that’s where we stand this early Sunday morning. I still have more tubes and wires attached to me than I care to document, so typing is slow and getting out of bed requires a small army for assistance, but as I told my hunky bearish nurse (thanks, Myrtle Mary!) this morning, “It’s still better than the alternative.” Most everything is supposed to be disconnected tomorrow, and that will make my last day in the hospital so much easier.
Ben has been visiting every day—despite suffering a detached retina after I went into surgery on Tuesday and his subsequent surgery/followup. It doesn’t rain but it pours. WTF is going on in our reality anyway?
I have to say the thing that has hurt the most over the past week is being away from the dogs. I’m still surprised how quickly Sophie and I bonded, and I’m thankful we have doggie cams set up at the house so I can at least see her. Ben said she and Raffi are still faithfully watching for my return—and I expect Sophie especially to jump out of her skin when i walk through the front doorl
Just catching up on blogs and glad to read all went well. Hope your far along in your recovery by the time you read this comment.
Excellent! So glad the procedures went well, including Ben’s unscheduled one. *fingers crossed* that you’re home with the dogs tomorrow.
Mark,
So glad you’re doing well after surgery. Each day you will be better and stronger. Hugs to both of you.
Dan
I won’t say my thoughts and prayers are with you and Ben because I know how you feel about that particular platitude. Just saying that instead I am sending whatever positive energy I can for healing towards your family group, human and canine. Your commentary and photo shares are the first thing I look forward to each day when I get home from the salt mines. Thank you for keeping after this, even when you were going through these personal challenges.
Glad to hear the good news. Speedy recovery.
Great news! I imagine you are more than ready for home, but take it easy and listen to your team!
Thanks for the update. I’m glad everything went so well!
Mark, I am so happy that the surgery went well. It just goes to prove you can’t keep a good man down. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Sorry to hear about Ben. Again…speedy recovery for him….
Excellent! Good news has NOT been illegalized!
Hurry home & live long & prosper!
Hello Mark,
I am so relieved to learn that the whole procedure went that good. The doctors discharging you several days ahead is indeed proof of it. May it also be the augure of a fine and swift recovery.
Sending you my best vibes,
Laurent
Glad you made it through. A tumor on the back of your tongue, removing it, patching things up, and putting you back together.
I am sure your jaw is wired shut.
I am wishing you all the best.
I worked as a medic in the AF and took care of patients before and after surgery. We had guys come in for TMJs, and the surgeon would wire their jaws shut. We had a pair of wire cutters taped to the foot of the bed for emergencies. The surgeon always left a little gap in the wiring to place a straw. I would give pre-op instructions and tell patients it was going to feel weird breathing through their noses. It may feel like you’re suffocating. So be calm. Breathe slowly, and in no time it will be old hat. Never had to use a pair of wire cutters.
Remember, if you take a lot of top-tier pain meds, it will tend to block you up. Take a stool softener and increase your fluids. Don’t forget to move around. Walk around the house and in the yard. And soon you will be walking around the block. Got to keep things limber and ensure your lungs are clear and working properly. Keep your nutrition up. Some food, liquids are better than none.
Happy healing.
XX
Thanks Victor. Jaw was not wired shut, only had two sutures at each edge of my mouth that have since dissolved. I was already a 22 year tracheostomy wearer from my last camcer (that by continuing to keep it all these years also aleviated a lifetime of sleep apnea—which is what I prefer over using a CPAP) so no nose breathing was required.
Great news to start the day today! I hope your healing, on all levels, goes fast and true.