Connect
← Return to Getting Transoral robotic surgery (TORS): What can I expect?
Discussion
Getting Transoral robotic surgery (TORS): What can I expect?
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Feb 9 7:33am | Replies (15)Comment receiving replies
This was great thank you , im going in for TORS rt tonsil cancer on 1/28 - had rt neck dissection on 1/21 . My anxiety is through the roof ... trying hard not to read too much but yeesh I didn't think about things like oral thrush which I've read some get . I'm trying to do what I can before the 28th to help aid recovery. Looking into Aloe Vera Juice now .. did you experience any thrush? Thanks for helping !! Tammy
Replies to "This was great thank you , im going in for TORS rt tonsil cancer on 1/28..."
I had no issue with oral thrush. It’s a tough couple of weeks—for me the hardest days were about 3-10. Stay on schedule with all the drugs. Smoothies and protein shakes, along with all the ice cream you desire, are your friends. Get some good wide mouth straws and take it a day at a time. You’ll be fine!
@tammyrhoads, thinking of you as you recover from surgery. I look forward to hearing from you when you're able.
I had a difficult time with oral Thrush. Extremely painful but I was given a prescription for MMW w/2% Visc Lidocaine. That numbed my tongue and throat enough for me to swallow. I used it before every meal. I was determined to not get a feeding tube so I ate 6 meals a day. That consisted of smoothies, ice cream, yogurt or anything soft. I found that freezing high calorie Boost and eating it like ice cream was very helpful. Good luck. I am about 16 months from surgery and doing well. Nav Dx from 3212 to ZERO!!
Connect
Hi @tammyrhoads and welcome to the Head and Neck Cancer group. We are at least one step up from the Horse Stall Cleaners group, but it's a small step. Anyway, glad you are here but wish you didn't have to be.
When I had my cancer, we didn't have TORS, we had Thor's, a big Scandinavian guy with an axe. TORS is much less invasive and a faster recovery. Left side tonsil in my case.
See if you can get the cancer type and gather all information you can as you go along. The medical staff often prides itself on painting a rosy picture and giving you a positive outlook. This is understandable but the truth is, it will be a tough fight. Your normal life will come to a pause. And keep in mind likely your medical staff actually never went through this themselves. You are a Mercury Astronaut and the ground crew is telling you how easy it will be. The folks in this group have been to the moon.
Take it one day at a time. Ask your medical staff any questions as they arise. Ask us anything your heart desires. Keep us posted and again, welcome. I'll be in the barn.