 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Tom...
Daily you need to open as wide as possible and hold it for a few seconds, then repeat it a few times. Stretching like that several times daily will keep you from getting trismus. I have it and its terrible.
Keep swallowing no matter how bad it hurts. Thats another very important thing. If you are able to chew, even eatting jello, yogurt, soup, or pudding do it even if its uncomfortable and alot of work. You dont want to lose your ability to swallow and have to relearn how to chew.
I see you just finished tx, congrats! In a couple weeks you will slowly start to feel a little better. Rest and hang in there, you are on your way to recovery now.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
