Dear All
Just a short addition to Chris' email. Margaret called me a little while ago to say that she has been told that the biopsy from the node removed in the second operation proved to be benign — so this is very good news.
She also said she will definitely be leaving the hospital on Friday
cheers
David
Another newsletter from Chris giving an update on Margaret
Dear all,
I return after a nice long Easter weekend (5 Days), which was well enjoyed.
Now it's back to work.
I short update on my Mum, the operation went well, and it's just a matter of waiting until they remove the stitches and she should then be set free. We are expecting that to be this coming Friday, the doctor will only inform Mum on Friday when she will be released, so it could also be Saturday when she gets out.
With the operations all having been a good success, we are now waiting for results back from the lab. This is expected to be with us on Thursday, the results are those of the second lymph gland that was removed. Not sure about the implications of the results, we shall cross that bridge when we get there. Assuming all is fine, the next phase will be for Mum to recover from these past 3 operations. Once that is over, roughly 3-4 weeks we think, then a new phase begins, therapy. I don't want to speculate on how this will be, it varies from person to person, we will once again cross that bridge when we get there.
So again, those living in Vienna - visits are welcome, but Fri/Sat Mum will be out of hospital.
Best regards,
Chris
Another newsletter from giving an update on Margaret — Chris has delegated this email to me, but he will be back in the chair on Wednesday
Dear All
Sarah and I took Margaret to the hospital this morning for 8:00 — she was quickly booked in and of course, as is the way with hospitals, then had ages to just hang around waiting. I left her around noon in the care of Sarah, and Chris will be going round after work.
Everything seems to be going smoothly and her operation will take place first thing tomorrow. They estimate about two hours for the operation and so it is highly likely she will be back on the ward early afternoon (if not earlier).
Margaret is on the same ward as before (ward 64 — HNO, room 23) and she has her mobile with her. She will be able to receive calls and visitors as of Saturday for sure (or even tomorrow if she recovers as quickly as she did last time)
Chris and Sarah join me in wishing you all a happy Easter break
David
Dear All,
Just a quick note to say THANK YOU to everyone for your thoughts, visits, hugs, kind words and support - you have all been the most tremendous help to me at this time. It was not good to hear that I needed the second op but that will be over this time next week and all should be well (hopefully), thereafter it's a case of waiting for the therapy - don't know when that will be yet.
Once again, thanks to everyone.
Much love
Maggie
Another newsletter from Chris giving an update on Margaret
Dear all,
Just a short message this time to inform you that our patient is back at home now. She has been added onto this distribution list so feel free to e-mail her directly or those that call can still call.
Like I mentioned previously our Sarah arrives on Tuesday, so Mum has time to spend with her, but it's back to Hospital on Thursday for her Friday operation followed by a week of waiting for stitches to be removed. 3 or 4 weeks later they will start preparations for the therapy treatments to come.
Until then. This is me signing off for a while,
Chris
Another newsletter from Chris giving an update on Margaret
That there was a possibility of a second operation had never been mentioned to Margaret by any of the doctors, so this came as an unpleasant shock to her. In my case I was warned that this would be a distinct possibility but I was lucky and it was decided not to be necessary. It does show how varied the information given (or not given) by doctors can be.
Dear All,
Since Update 3, things have changed. I was round yesterday, and have just now spoken with Mum and things are now somewhat clearer. It is so: The lymph gland that was removed was malignant, because of this they have now decided that they must operate again, and remove the other (left) lymph gland. Once all has healed (usually about 3 or 4 weeks) then they will start the preparations for therapy. So the timeline currently looks like this:
Tonight will be the last night in hospital for this stay as Mum is being released tomorrow. Sarah will arrive next Tuesday so good for them to spend time together.
Mum will then go back in for the operation which is scheduled for next week Friday. After that operation it is apparently a 7 day stay in the hospital until the stitches are removed, and then comes the rest and recovery period. Once they feel everything is ready, somewhere between 3 and 4 weeks later, they will start with the Therapy.
So, visits still welcome tonight, but as of tomorrow she will be at home.
For the time being, thanks again for all the support, I know my Mum really appreciates it.
Chris
Another newsletter from Chris giving an update on Margaret
Dear all,
So it has now been one week since my Mum went into hospital, and she really is making good progress. Those that have visited or talked with her on the phone know just how well she is doing because she able to talk without any problems. We now know that they started the operation using laser surgery, which lessens the bleeding and swelling, but that they could not do the whole thing with laser so it was finished off with traditional methods, sharp knife and then stitched. Although I have not seen for myself, but my Mum has - the scar on her neck seems to be pretty good, tidy and apparently shaped like the letter T.
Psychologically she is doing fine, in fact her main concern at the moment is the state of her hair... All in all she is looking good, the swelling doesn't look at all bad and her main battle is that against boredom.
On a more unfortunate note, it was a 99% possibility but has now been confirmed as 100%, is that therapy will have to take place. The results of the lymph gland came back as malignant, so It will be a combination of Chemo & Radiation Therapy. I'm not exactly sure when this starts, or how it will work, but I will have more information on this later on.
Today they start preparing things for the radiation therapy, they have to create some sort of mask thing, and tomorrow I understand the stitches in both her tongue and neck will be removed. Tomorrow they will also start feeding proper food, and depending on how well that goes, she should be out of hospital later on this week. BTW, she has in the last 7 days actually gained 2 kilos, so that good news.
Today also marks her '1 week' anniversary of quitting smoking.
Once again, thank you all for your support, those that have visited I think you know it means a lot to my Mum and she really appreciates it.
Until the next update,
Take care,
Chris
Another newsletter from Chris giving an update on his mother Margaret (my ex-wife).
Dear All,
Super busy at work, got a Japanese delegation coming in, and it's fallen on me to prepare!!!
Bottom line, operation is over, and Mum is doing just fine. She's being well looked after, but will have more details later. My Dad briefly popped in to say hi, and he said she looks very good, not so much swelling, and she is aware of everything - and looks forward to her visits in the next couple days.
Will get back with more once I've sorted the Japanese out.
Chris
Although this blog is primarily an account of my encounter with mouth cancer, it also touches on the case of Margaret, my ex-wife. By what seems a very unlikely coincidence, Margaret was also diagnosed with a mouth cancer. Hers is a tumour on the tongue rather than one on the floor of the mouth, but still it does seem a coincidence. We are able to compare notes and give each other a certain amount of support. This entry is the first of a number of newsletters that our son Chris sent out to Margaret's friends and family
Dear all,
I have compiled a distribution list of those who have requested, and those who I thought might be interested in my Mothers progress. Please feel free to forward onto others whom I might have missed out or to those that might also have an interest.
To give you all a brief idea of where we are; Today at 09:30 she went into the SMZ Ost and is scheduled to have her operation tomorrow morning. For those that don't know the details, it is a tumour in the tongue, with a 2cm diameter. This will be removed, but also her lymph gland on the right side of her neck. The operation will take around 4 or 5 hours, and barring any complications she will be monitored for a further 3 hours before being returned to her room at around 16:00.
The next step will be recovery. Apparently my Mum is known for being a fast healer, and I hope this is the case. Her tongue will inevitably be swollen and will have to be rested for the healing process, so communication will take place with pen and paper, for some of us this is quite a bonus :)
For those who wish to visit, the hours are as follows: 14:00 - 17:00, and 17:00 - 20:00. In the evening visiting session the visit is restricted to outside the actual room where patients reside, I guess so that others in the room get their peace, but there are apparently smaller rooms that one can sit in and that are quite nice.
I will be visiting her this evening, and will make my plans with her for the rest of the week. Tomorrow either my Dad or myself will be in contact with the hospital to find out how things went and as soon as I have any news I shall let you all know. I would not recommend a visit tomorrow, unless of course my Mum tells me that this is what she wants in which case I shall let you know.
Well, I will leave it there as a first update. I know my Mum is very touched that so many people are thinking about her, and I thank all of you for your support and your strength.
Until tomorrow, have a nice evening, and best regards,
Chris
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