Hi everyone
In August 2018 i was diagnosed with cancer in my mouth, after the long surgery in November 2018 i awoke to a whole new world. A world i was not happy with. The entire roof of my mouth had been removed along with a third of my top left jaw bone and accompanying teeth. they had removed all my left sinuses and 35 lymph nodes from my neck. Woke up with tracheotomy in my throat, what was called a trumpet in my left Nasal passage, a feeding tube and God alone knows how many different tubes and things in my body. I could not talk or move correctly and felt as if i had been ran over by a truck. My only saving grace was i was in the care of Peter Mac Melbourne Australia.
It has been a long recovery for me and still i have difficulties with eating, breathing through nose as is always blocking, left eye runs all the time, neck cramps up when ever it feels i am getting bored hahaha.
I can only open my mouth a few millimeters so my go to food is soup, thank God i like soup 🙂
As many people have found on this site, Cancer really is a life changer, there is the pain, the loss, the grieving, and in my case as a smoker the guilt of what i have caused to the people i love around me.
i often get cellulitis in left side of my face now and i puff up like a balloon for several days. if i want to eat i need to stretch my jaw open by stacking paddle pop type sticks one at a time until i can get no more in, this gives me around 5 millimeter jaw opening so yeah i wont be having steak for a while. Doctors say not much they can do about my jaw opening, then remind me i nearly died.
It is such a normal thing to open your mouth to eat, to yawn, to yell at the world, or to kiss a loved one. Having this taken away from you can be shattering.
Through reading others peoples battles on this site i will carry on and keep my head up high. I will strive to improve my situation as best i can each day, and forgive myself when i don't have the strength to try anymore.
Some things people can not understand despite all there good intentions, unless they have walked in your shoes, how could they?
Before i go i will quickly share a story of my operation day with you.
I was up early and on the train to Melbourne, feeling scared, alone, anxious, and all kinds of other unhelpful feelings.
Departed the train and thought i should grab some takeaway as a treat knowing was going to be a long time until I was able to eat easily again.
A quick couple minute walk and was in line in Hungry Jacks waiting for Burger and Fries.
was not feeling hungry but was determined to enjoy last meal best i could.
As i waited in line a small boy of maybe 4 or 5 at most walked up to me, i could see hi Father and sister way back in the line waiting eagerly like everybody else.
There was no doubt he singled me out, walked straight to me, passing many on his way.
He looked up at me smiled and simply said God Bless you and then simply turned and walked away.
I am not religious and in fact am an atheist, but having said that i am in tears now just from the memory.
It was what i wanted to hear and never knew i needed to hear, but the little boy knew.
Anyway i wish everyone on this forum, and those who are not a quick strong recovery, plenty of love and good times, and the reaching of all your goals and wishes.
Cheers 🙂
