Today was a big day.
I met with the surgeon who was 2 hours late to see me… So that was fun.
He (and his team) dropped a couple of bombshells.
- I might not be able to sing after the surgery. Like… Ever. Or at least it might change my voice…
- I’ll have a scar under my nose.
- They’ll take out my whole top jaw except for my left hand side, canine to the back (I suppose that was expected).
- I have to make a decision whether I want a prosthetic, or bone taken from my leg…
- It could take up to two to three months to be able to eat properly again.
On top of that there was some good news.
- Swelling should go down within a couple of weeks.
- I’ll be in hospital for a week if I choose prosthetic, 2+ if I choose bone (I guess this is only a good news if I go with prosthetic).
The prosthetic surgery takes 3-4 hours and the bone one takes 10-12. Plus… Like… I won’t be able to walk for some time if I go bone…
Bone sounds huge!!!!! Prosthetic is sounding pretty damn good at the moment… I’ll have another meeting with him closer to discuss options. But there must be some big pros with bone because otherwise why would anyone choose it?
THEN I went to see my Oncologist to start my chemo (Doxorubicin) and my platelets were too low, so I couldn’t. We’ll try again next week.
THEN he looked at my kidney test results and my kidney function is not good and I’m risking severe kidney damage so I might not be able to continue with my last 4 weeks of Methotrexate…
Um…
I’m tired just writing that.
Thankfully Charlie was with me for all of that which I am very grateful for. I would have struggled in my own. Mainly just a lot of information to take in and… Yeah it was good to have some support and someone to talk it all over with after.
We went to the pub for lunch after. Only thing for it. I stuck to Apple juice. Looking after you, kidneys.
My Oncologist didn’t seem to think that missing out on those Methotrexate weeks was really a problem. In the grand scheme of things they’re not really that important. The main thing was getting the four cycles done and all of the horrible Cisplatin. So I’ll take his positivity onboard. Not the end of the world. I know of someone else who skipped a Methotrexate week anyway due to scheduling so… They can’t be allllll that important! It’s not like I’ve been told chemo isn’t working or my body can’t hack any of it.
I’m going home for a bath. I think I’ve earned it. I’ll make the most of my free week off at least. Brunch with friends tomorrow… Movie night tomorrow night… Yeah. It’ll be ok.
The Cancer Chronicles 
Oh Jen, that is a lot to take in so I’m glad for you that Charlie was there. Good to be able to talk about it and to have someone to ask if you don’t remember details at times. Keep that positivity up, we are all behind you helping as well.
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Definitely. Being able to talk it all through with someone afterwards made it a lot more manageable. It’s overwhelming when you first hear it but once you break it down and reason through it all, it’s a lot easier to take.
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All our love jen xxxxxx
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Thank you xxx
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Shit Jenna. All of that info is huge. We love ya heaps and sending as much as possible your way.
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Yeah lots of things to deal with. But we’ll make it through.
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Everything’s gonna be Fine Fine Fine.
After our little FaceTime chat this morning it really seems like things are going roughly to plan, Jen. I’m sure every case like this is monitored on a monthly basis and although we have so far been working to a six month plan, adjustments to the schedule are bound to be made as we progress.
Yes, the implant choice between bone and prosthetic is an interesting one. More research required I think. Also, the Surgeon will probably give you his appraisal nearer the operation date.
In the meantime we’ll read up as much as we can on the situation.
The prosthetic sounds good but what we need to look at is the long term plan. The removal of leg bone may not be quite as bad as we fear. More research required.
You’re going well, Love. Hang in there, we are starting to get to the business end of the treatment which will end with the removal of that Tumour. Got to be a good thing.
Luvs ya.
Da.
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Yeah it’s not just on a monthly basis, I get thoroughly checked to see if I’m healthy enough to go on before every week of chemo. It’s all very closely monitored.
Yep I’m having a meeting with the surgeon to explain it all closer to the date.
We are definitely getting to the pointy end now! 5 months down, only a few to go!!
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Hi Jen,
I watched a programme last night about a lady who had reconstruction surgery on her face. Her tumour had spread to her cheek bone and eye. I didn’t want to watch bit I had to, it was fascinating. The doctors did an amazing job and it was incredible to see the op. The lady had some bone taken from her hip and transferred to her cheek, the result was amazing. The operation last 10hours I think as she had the 2 procedures done at the same time. The programme was on bbc2 last night at 9pm called Surgeons: At the Edge if Life. Good luck xxxx
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Wow!!! That sounds very much like the bone option of mine! Probably exactly the same in fact!! I’ll see if I can find it on bbc iplayer! Thank you so much for sharing!!! xxx
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Found it!!! Thanks!!
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