We're in shock......
Linda's surgery today was not what we had anticipated....it was limited to a "stage 1" surgery (thank God)...but the reconstructive followup was very extensive....much ....much more than we figured....we wish they had given us advance notice about the extensiveness of everything....but we have "move on"....
The cancer was above the left side of her mouth ..above the lip by about 3/4 of an inch. The doctor removed the cancer in his first effort (he said it was the first stage 1 surgery he had had all day..the rest were stage 2)... we are thankful for that. The reconstructive surgery (he is a plastic surgeon also) involved a long cut along the "laugh line...about 2 inches as well as a cut under her nose of about 3/4 of an inch....to bring fat and muscle up to the hole from the cancer removal. She is heavily bandaged...
What now?
Linda cannot talk or move her lips for a minimum of three days. With the oncologist meetings tomorrow, the doctor said to have me ask the questions. She also has to put ice on it for 20 minutes and then 20 off...to keep the swelling down. We have to watch for bleeding and re bandage tomorrow night. There are a total of 30 stitches and it is important not to have any stress on the stitches for a less visible scarring later on.
More later....the picture below is somewhat scary but Linda does have a good attitude in spite of all this..once again, she says it's all worth not having cancer...
Linda's surgery today was not what we had anticipated....it was limited to a "stage 1" surgery (thank God)...but the reconstructive followup was very extensive....much ....much more than we figured....we wish they had given us advance notice about the extensiveness of everything....but we have "move on"....
The cancer was above the left side of her mouth ..above the lip by about 3/4 of an inch. The doctor removed the cancer in his first effort (he said it was the first stage 1 surgery he had had all day..the rest were stage 2)... we are thankful for that. The reconstructive surgery (he is a plastic surgeon also) involved a long cut along the "laugh line...about 2 inches as well as a cut under her nose of about 3/4 of an inch....to bring fat and muscle up to the hole from the cancer removal. She is heavily bandaged...
What now?
Linda cannot talk or move her lips for a minimum of three days. With the oncologist meetings tomorrow, the doctor said to have me ask the questions. She also has to put ice on it for 20 minutes and then 20 off...to keep the swelling down. We have to watch for bleeding and re bandage tomorrow night. There are a total of 30 stitches and it is important not to have any stress on the stitches for a less visible scarring later on.
More later....the picture below is somewhat scary but Linda does have a good attitude in spite of all this..once again, she says it's all worth not having cancer...
.
4 comments:
Linda - you amaze all of us with your positive attitude through everything!
Dave - how did your PDT thing go? Well, I hope...
Take care, and well wishes for a speedy recovery!
Love,
Jim and Swee
Good heavens! It seemed like it should have been so simple... figures, doesn't it? ;-)
Glad you guys are doing ok. I'm sure Linda will recover quickly. She's good at that sort of thing! And she's right, it's worth it not to have cancer!
Love to you both, as always.
Holy Smokes! That's some bandage. I'm so sorry you two were caught so unawares. But ya' just have to reach for a better-feeling thought. L, you're doing great -- and you're amazing. I am so impressed with your positive and very down-to-earth attitude -- the "let's get this done, 'cause I got some living to do and good times to catch up on" sort of approach.
Wrapping you in that golden glow of healing love and warmth.
Susie
It is so seldom that we see a picture of you, Linda, w/o that beautiful smile.....but we know that the smile WILL BE BAAACK!
Rest up, we know you are in good hands!
Marilyn
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