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Getting Transoral robotic surgery (TORS): What can I expect?

Posted by abes1068 @abes1068, Jul 6, 2024

I’m getting tors Thursday for a 1 cm consular tumor and 2 3 by 3 lymph Node dissections. What will my pain be? Swallowing big? Eating? Voice? What will I be able to eat?

Thx mike

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tammyrhoads | @tammyrhoads | 5 days ago
In reply to @kcaldaba "I had TORS surgery on June 25 at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. Both tonsils were removed and..." + (show)
@kcaldaba

I had TORS surgery on June 25 at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. Both tonsils were removed and I had neck dissection on both sides. I’m 77 and fit for my age. No surprises from the surgery—there was a 2cm tumor on my right tonsil, and one lymph node involvement (contained) on the right. No evidence on the left, but PET scan had shown a suspicious area—it was negative but had to be sure.. One night in the hospital and released next afternoon. Recognizing that everone is different, here’s my experience. They told me it would be the worst two weeks of my life, so get ready mentally. First 2-3 days were not as bad as expected, but then—as predicted by Mayo—it took a turn for the worse. That lasted almost a week, and now it’s gradually improving but still sore. During good times pain was about 3 of 10 after taking drugs. Bad times were very uncomfortable at about 8 of 10. They should give you guidance on diet—all liquid for at least a week—protein shakes, smoothies, ice cream, mashed potatoes, etc. nothing chunky. Try to maintain your weight and drink lots of water—I’ve lost about 5 pounds so far, which is better than they predicted. Don’t push the diet to solid foods because your throat needs time to heal, and that could aggravate it. Stay ahead of the pain by being sure you take all the meds—steriods, oxy, tylenol, motrin, magic mouthwash (lidocaine), etc. I started off taking pills with unseasoned apple sauce. They’ll constipate you, so immediately also take stool softener from day one. I slept in a recliner the first week until the drains were removed. Stay positive, it’s all manageable. Good luck!

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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

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William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | 4 days ago
In reply to @tammyrhoads "This was great thank you , im going in for TORS rt tonsil cancer on 1/28..." + (show)
@tammyrhoads

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

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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.

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kcaldaba | @kcaldaba | 3 days ago
In reply to @tammyrhoads "This was great thank you , im going in for TORS rt tonsil cancer on 1/28..." + (show)
@tammyrhoads

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

Jump to this post

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!

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