Re: Have Complications after TT - modified neck dissection- please help, docs or anybody else.

"anita" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Hi all,
> I got a TT with amodified left side neck dissection last week,
> developed after surgery complications with infection and was on
> intravenous anitbiotics vancomycin and something else for a week.
>
> My current problem:
> Swollen and had left side of leck and jaw and swollen left shoulder
> area.
> They aspirated some fluid to reduce the swelling a few times in the
> last week, but it keeps coming back. My WBC count was 18000 and my
> temp was above 101.
>
> Whats going on ? I have read that it is lymphedema and that the is NO
> CURE. I am so positively frightened, much more so than I was on the
> PTC diagnosis, when I was alone and away from home.
> They discharged me today, when they felt the swelling had gone down
> sufficiently. But what I am worried about is that the doc who did the
> aspirating was the asst and the main surgeon was out of station. He
> probably did not realize the extent of the swelling and thought it
> safe to go home. How long will this thing last ? I have heard that it
> can become chronic. It swells up when I sleep, or even when I go on
> antibiotics IV.
> I have been told to follow a low fat diet, and I read a low fat diet
> is useful. But WHAT ELSE CAN I DO ?
>
> Long ago I had cellulitis on my foot, which went away with
> antibiotics. Last year I has sores and swelling on my foot lasting for
> months, but they went away as soon as I started thyroxine. Is there
> any connection or influence of this previous condition to my current
> lymphedema ?
> Waiting anxiously for your answers.
> Anita
>
> May: Hashimotos
> Jul: PTC
> Nov: TT with modified neck dissection

 A neck dissection is major  surgery. These symptoms will gradually improve
with time. Most patients continue to have shoulder droop and pain, however