Thursday 3rd October post-surgery and it is time to go home, time to leave the confines of the hospital and the reassurance of trained staff who are around 24 hours a day should I need them – the fact that they were there was enough for me to crack on.

I was not issued with any doo’s and don’ts, no watchlist, only the fact that for the next couple of weeks I could have a gush bleed from the throat and if that happened an ambulance would be despatched on receipt of a call and I would be sorted.  I knew when I could turn my neck to the left and right, I would be able to drive, I was close to doing this having followed to the letter the very brief physio notes.  I could look down but not up but that would come.  My tongue was still asleep, I could not eat properly, could drink little and often had a stash of drugs and was home.

First job was to facetime my George, I had not spoken to him since before surgery and off course he did not know that I had had a neck dissection.  Talking to George was very emotional, I had my big girl knickers on, but the elastic snapped when I spoke to him and showed him my wounds and we agreed that going forward all would be good.

Friday morning Kingy was despatched (reluctantly) to the shop and suddenly I was on my own and was desperate for a shower, ‘keep your wounds dry’ rang in my ears and I set about trying to find a way to keep my neck dry in a much needed shower so I wound a huge amount of cling film around my neck (which made me chuckle), stepped into the shower and within about two seconds the carefully crafted neck guard was on the floor – sod it, my neck could do with a good wash (all was good).

Once downstairs the day stretched in front of me – what to do with all this time?  I went into the lounge and there was a cardboard box with my name on it, I eagerly jumped on it and found it was full with cards, gift and flowers from friends, family and customers – so many cards, so many best wishes, so many messages wishing me well – I was overwhelmed.  This continued over the following weeks and Kingy came home most days with bouquets of flowers and more cards and more messages, I felt very loved and humbled and it really made my recovery so much easier knowing so many people were routing for me.

My first visitor (on Sunday) was my baby girl Denise (if I could have had and chosen a daughter, I would have chosen her, she is fantastic).  Monday was my first outing, out in the sunshine under a blue sky for a walk with super friend Janice (My Bird).  Later in the week the lovely Elaine, then a walk down to Mrs Jam Pots.  More visitors were staggered over the following weeks (Pammy, Em’s, Liz, Jo B.)  I had daily contact with my sisters and brother and regular Facetime with Mandy (sister) – all these people kept me going as did Dotty’s Bird’s.

I stopped pain relief on day 6, my stomach and bowels had had enough and I was better off without it.  Slowly I was able to introduce pureed food but kept up the protein shakes, although my throat was sore I sipped little and often and every day I rubbed Bio oil into my neck wounds (thanks Em’s for the Bio suggestion) – which are fading nicely.

One evening I saw a post on Facebook and a young girl from my village (Lauren) who I have known since she was a baby, took it upon herself to organise a run in my honour to raise funds for Cancer Research.  The run was October 20^th, a filthy wet and windy day but that did not deter people and over 100 runners and walkers came along to support the event, although I could not run, I hugged every single person as they came through the finish including little Henry who ran all the way – it was the most humbling and fantastic event which raised over £3,000.  Lauren, I shall be forever grateful to you for organising this event which bought together so many people from all areas of my life, you are a star. (Your mum, dad, sister and Nan are also very special people).

I cannot finish off without mentioning Lola.  Lola is our 12 year old mixed breed doggie woggie who from the day I came home never left my side.  She has been the best company and I have taken her on every walk and spent every day with her – she has been fantastic.

This recovery was made so much easier by the support I received from everyone and I will always be grateful to everyone who was part of that.

28^th October I have been back to the shop, had a few runs and am feeling good – but the hospital called to say that are not satisfied with the margins on the robotic tongue surgery and I need to have it done again.

Please check yourself, here are some links:

https://coppafeel.org/ https://prostatecanceruk.org/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/ https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/skin-cancer/

“Recovery is a process. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes everything you’ve got.” –

Unknown

#bootupandstompit