One Year After My Major Cancer Surgery. 2018.59.
This space, Denyse Whelan Blogs, has been a life raft to the outside world and a connection from me to you, the readers and fellow bloggers. I am aware that since my first May post “I have Cancer” there have been a significant number of posts about this cancer and me.
In reaching the 1st year anniversary of the major mouth surgery on 6 July 2017 last Friday, 6th July, I decided that whilst there will be occasional updates, there will be a general easing away from the focus as I get to look forward to a broader life view.
However, I cannot predict when that will be, as a year ago I might have been given the impression that my recovery, i.e. surgeries and healing to gum and jaw readiness for implanted teeth might be 8-9 months. I am in my 13th month now. My mouth has needed a 4th surgery and a second skin graft taken to enable the lip the be more prominent and for there to be enough space for teeth to go in. THIS is why I am on a drive every.single.week until mid August so that my excellent prosthodontist can do the best first stage of teeth for me. Implants remain much further away.
I wanted to do a snapshot of how it has been for me as I have recovered and some of the ways in which I have been able to adapt and adjust to life with no teeth on top, 8 on the bottom, and a skin graft inside my mouth, along with a bone made into a jaw.
- Day 2 ICU.
- 3 weeks later! Post-op check.
- Regular Home Visits to dress my leg wounds
- Surgery #2 November
- Skin Graft 1- for inside mouth
- New Jaw is seen here
Life went on…after hospital but I needed to adjust significantly to home life as I was restricted with movement: a boot on the leg where the surgeons had removed my fibula and skin/flesh for my mouth. I also could eat with difficulty and there were some tears via trial and error. Over time I learned how to better cater for myself after sending my husband on early day missions for soft foods like jellies and mousse. I admit I still find the eating restrictions hard but do what I can to keep up nourishment as I need protein each day and some iron-rich foods. Since late last year I started cooking mini-meals and freezing them.
- Early days at home.
- More from early days
- How I can eat a sandwich.
- BEST meal ever: baked lamb
- Iron rich and a crustless pie
- summer foods went down OK
- My treat food and I ate bit by bit
- Meeting the family for morning tea
- Always batch cooking. For me.
I am not someone to sit around for long and once I could drive, 6 weeks after surgery, I set out for small drives to be used to both managing the car, and that I was stable on my feet when I got out. I soon re-engaged with shopping. Even though I had not enjoyed shopping before the surgery (I was anxious and I was not interested in clothes or books or even browsing) I found my shopping mojo again when I knew I needed a focus for each day. Along with the enjoyment I have always had for being near the beach or finding places to photograph, going out every day became must-do for my emotional health. I dressed well, had a photo taken and went out to chat with people I met and have a coffee and do some art.
- Image of me used on BeyondFive Site.
- Capturing nature.
- First haircut in 8 weeks and wearing a bright new colour
- First “outfit of the day”
- My first DRESS worn on my 68th Bday
- Fave beverage. And I can eat freckles
- Art Kit and Coffee
- Together. B’s love and care essential for my recovery.
- Lovely gentle water with colours I adore, in Summer time.
- Outfits of the Day Pics
- Need to do more of this
For the first part of 2018, being holidays everywhere, I waited out the time before planned third surgery in February by distraction, activity and going to the beach as well as out for coffee. I had also had a second surgery in November 2017. It was always hoped that the February one would be my last or maybe that was just me??
The February surgery saw my mouth healing well and the prosthodontists took my stent off. This was short-lived (darn it) because my surgeon wanted it back on. Alas, the reason it was needed was the area between my upper lip and jaw was very tight and in fact left no room at all for the addition of teeth. I found out, much to my disappointment that a 4th surgery, and skin graft to make the inside of the mouth even roomier would be on in mid May.
This is where I am at now, almost 8 weeks from that time. The stent is doing the job. It has been mighty sore and uncomfortable at time but my fortnightly, now weekly visits to the prosthodontist at Westmead sees this being removed, trimmed and re-fitted. It can take over 2 hours. Nevertheless I am a very co-operative patient and I want it to work too. Over the coming month and more I will be at Westmead for longer visits and with luck on our side, the first fitting of a set of false teeth for the upper gums.
- Pre Feb #3 Surgery
- Comparisons help me
- Post surgery 3.
- Foam blocks did not stop my coffee
- Pre 4th surgery consult at COBLH
- Dress With Purpose: Out For Coffee: 2017
- Taking a while to believe this!
- Remembering how far I have come
- The right leg. Everyone sees the mouth, few see my leg
- Mouth is down because surgery #3 has not worked
- Here I go again: #4 surgery
- Helps me see progress
- Model for my stent
- Stent back on…
- Onward with BeyondFive ribbon & back to Westmeand
Thank you if you have read this far.
I was of two minds about posting this. I said to my husband “I am sick of my posts about cancer and recovery” and his comment was “then other people might be too.” However, I also decided that it was IMPORTANT to me to keep the update and to mark this occasion of ONE YEAR since the first surgery and that’s why this post is here. So much of my recovery has been, and still is, mental. It is about attitude, some courage and a willingness to see this through. I have been, at various times angry, impatient, teary, frustrated and downright “over it”.
However, I am MUCH better at picking myself up, dusting myself off and starting all over again…
- The beach always helps.
- Notice Nature – 2018
- Post surgery #4
- So excited, then crestfallen. A glimpse of what might be.
- Creative Art & Words – 2018
- Last week: no teeth or stent in briefly, getting as close to a smile as I can.
Denyse.
On Tuesday this posts links with Kylie here
On Wednesday this post links with Sue and Leanne here
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