Radical neck disection

Hi Slowlane

I havent had a neck dissection but with my first cancer I had a radical removal of my lymph glands under my arm pit.  Straight after the operation I couldn't hold a pen and had to work to get my arm to move again.  A lot of painful moments and still to this day I need to ensure that I keep the full movement and it is still not quite as it would have been.  I hope that things are on the improve for you.

Julie

On Jun 11, 2012 2:57 PM Slowlane wrote:

Thanks Julie, It's a "new normal" but very hard to get used to.  Seems like every thing you do requires something that your arm wont do anymore.  My right arm does function somewhat but will never be the same and I hate to complain when there are others that have no arm and would kill to have mine.  Im just trying to get more people with radical neck disections to join this thread and compare their complications with mine and others.  Slowlane

Hiya Slowlane

Yup this "new normal" stuff is sometimes hard to come to terms with.  Of course, with anything like this there are some positives that come out of it.  I hope that all those that have dissections come out and discuss with you.  It is great that you and others are willing to share.  

Ok, off to batten down the hatches for a large storm headed our way.  130km per hour winds apparently.  Already been without power for over 24 hours, although it is back on now and hopefully will stay on.

Take care

Julie

Hi Slowlane. How is your pain two years after? I also had a radical neck dissection as yours and I struggled with a lot of pain for many months! Never had the chemo or radiation though. The medication that helped was Lyrica (75g) for the nerve pain and Myprodol for the headaches. My scars also healed badly and taught. I still feel as though someone has bashed my ear with a baseball bat. No feeling in the lobe but painful on the top!! Still cannot sleep on my left side. I'm still on the Lyrica and myprodol. I'm so glad it's not just me that is suffering....

Thanks for your reply Karen.  I Hate to find anyone who had radical neck disection surgery but also nice to find that I'm not alone.  My pain is not so bad or mabey I'm just good at ignoring it but, the loss of strength and range of motion of my right shoulder is super irritating.  I'm also "dental dead" from top of right ear to shoulder to middle of tounge.  I take a couple of tramadols and somehow manage to sleep a little on my bad side.  Cant imagine anyone having both sides done.  Hang in there RND buddy.  Slowlane

I have also decided against radiation and chemotherapy. I believe the after effects are too bad and destroys your saliva production as well as your bone density in your jaw and teeth. I'm changing over to an alkaline diet to try to prevent any re-occurrence. Also given up my motorcycle dream, too difficult to move my head left, although they tell you to do head and neck exercises. This would probably help oyour shoulder as well - exercises? It's quite a sensitive operation and they can easlily damage your facial muscles. So I'm quite happy there is no external damage, althou you can't come near my ear!! I feel that surgeons always want to operate - to cut whatever out, and after four operations in one year - I'm quite fed-up with all the pain!

I hope you will be fine without rad and chemo.  I had a load of it and it does a number on you.  I also tried a short stint of thereapy and dident like it....I do more at home during a normal day.  I have had a lot of heavy motorcycles and found that I couldent safely handle them any more.  Bought a 300cc scooter and am having a blast with it.  Back to you..4 operations in one year????   I thought my ENT was  jack the ripper but yours' must have been his son!!!!   Alkaline diet....thats beer right?    Slowlane

Hi Slowlane......

It's been awhile since I have been on here......I'm 4 years out, had the neck dissection.....no residual problems.  Still feel horribly tight at the incision site......but I am used to the feeling.  No pain.....I also had the t-flap and SCM was messed with.....but I have full range of motion and no droop.  I think I am just very lucky....I even have sensation in my ear lobe which my surgeon says is impossible......I have had a few dental problems, but nothing huge.....

Take care..........

Steph

Steph.....Great to hear from you again.  Also great that you are doing well.  I'm coming up on 2 years soon and am clear so far thank God.  I like to whine about my RND but it really does irritate me because it limits what I used to do.  In two weeks I will have a grand total of 4 teeth left.  I cant feel my entire right ear.   Radical neck disections dont get much press so I'm trying to make a little awareness space for them right here.  You were a lot of help to me when I first came on this board scared to death so thanks again and stay online with us....we need you.  yer buddy Slowlane

i had a left radical neck dissection, levels II-V with vein, nerve and neck muscle removed, with a T cut on 10/22/11. I did not have any major problems, still numbess, loss of sensation. I did not have a flap done then.

in June, 2012, i had another left neck dissection to remove 2 tumors. No major complications, a little more numbess and loss of feeling.

On monday, 8/20/12 I'm going for my 3rd left neck dissection, this time with a pectoral flap. I wonder if they did a perctoral or another type flap on you?

Islander, No pectoral flap on me.  You gotta watch some of those ENT surgeons.  Mine wanted to cut out a biopsy on me right after radiation treatment!  My RO said NO!.  So far Im Clear...getting Petted in Sept.  Hang in there Islander.  Slowlane