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| | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 87 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 87 | I met the radiation oncologist for the first time today. He's concerned about how little I can open my mouth and has put in referral for PT, but insurance (as usual) is dragging its feet on the approval. Dr. A is afraid they won't be able to get a mouthpiece in my mouth. I am scheduled for simulation next Thurs. but wondering if I should hold off for a week in the hopes PT will have helped enough by then? Anyone know how long it takes PT to work? I hate for parts of my mouth that don't need it to get RT because I can't get the mouthpiece in!
Susan
Age 51, married with four kids age 11-18, 9/1/2010, Bx: high grade mucoepidermoid CA left sublingual gland.
10/8/2010, wide excision left floor of mouth, modified radical node dissection left neck.
T1N0M0. IMRT started 11/22.
Never smoked, light social drinker
Also happen to be ICU RN
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 71 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 71 | Hi Susan,
I had moderate success with PT after 3 visits. My mouth went from ~9mm to ~14mm. Best of luck to you.
11/1999 SCC tongue - surgery
1/2000 Met(s) in lymph nodes - modRND
2/2000-4/2000 RT ~6 weeks
end of 2006 SCC tongue - surgery
1/2008 SCC BOT - surgery / PEG installed
2/2008 chemo & RT
4/2008 last time I consumed solid food by mouth
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 87 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 87 | Thanks for the info-- gives me a little hope. I don't think mine is as bad as yours was. I'm not sure where they measure it, but the space between my top and bottom front teeth is right at 20 mm. when I measured it myself.
Susan
Age 51, married with four kids age 11-18, 9/1/2010, Bx: high grade mucoepidermoid CA left sublingual gland.
10/8/2010, wide excision left floor of mouth, modified radical node dissection left neck.
T1N0M0. IMRT started 11/22.
Never smoked, light social drinker
Also happen to be ICU RN
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 71 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 71 | Welcome. The front teeth is where the measurement is taken. The therabite people have a nice gauge that comes with their device. Best of luck with the mouthpiece and the rad treatments.
11/1999 SCC tongue - surgery
1/2000 Met(s) in lymph nodes - modRND
2/2000-4/2000 RT ~6 weeks
end of 2006 SCC tongue - surgery
1/2008 SCC BOT - surgery / PEG installed
2/2008 chemo & RT
4/2008 last time I consumed solid food by mouth
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