Hello,

This site is great and has really helped answer a lot of questions I had. I am 7-1/2 months out of Radiation and Chemo with radical neck dissection prior to treatment. I have no signs of the cancer thanks to God and great Dr.'s care. It has been tough and I thouight my tongue was so hammered that I might not eat normal again. Also developed throat strictures from radiation and had four procedures to re-open my throat. Amazingly I can now eat almost normally without pain and am sensitive to food with hot peppers, but can eat Texas BBQ!
Can anyone tell me if teeth are more subject to stains, as mine have darkened unusually the past week?
Also wonder if I can ever have a beer again without worrying about a recurrence. One of my Dr.'s says anything that bubbles could be a problem. Anyway, I am so happy just to be able to ask these questions.

SCC-base of tongue-Stage IV-Surgery, Rad & CHemo
finished 9/7/02

My name is Bob and have tongue cancer since 98.
Doctors want me to have implant radiation therapy. Do you have any insight or experience with this?I would appreciate any info. I have had 4 tumors and a partial glossectomy and flap plus right lymphodes removed. The thought of drinking beer is only superficial and leads to more pain and anxiety in the end. Somebody is benefitting from all this and it isnt me. Thanks and god bless

Bob,

I have heard of, but really don't have any experience with implant radiation. Mine was external beam (not IMRT)Radiation. Thanks for the reply and good luck!

wm3250,

Welcome to the OCF boards. Glad to hear you are doing so well in your recovery.

I am out of radiation since Jan. 02 and haven't noticed a discoloration of my teeth, yet. That doesn't mean it's not something that happens. I'm sure someone will come on that maybe knows more about this and reply. Have you used the sitemap and the search features in the body of the site. There is a wealth of information there.

As far as the bubbles thing - that's a totally new one to me. Never heard that before and I know we have had discussions on the board about drinking in moderation.

Take crea,
Dinah

You gotta love a real Texan...Beer and Barbeque!!...and we do have the best Barbeque in the world. I have tried a couple of baked potatos stuffed with chopped beef BBQ and have been able to get some down, but not too easily.
I am happy to hear of your improvement Wm, as I have had three dilations of the esophagus, can eat a lot of stuff now, but still have a long way to go.
Keep up the good work.

Danny G.

Dinah,

This may be just a stain... Probably no big deal, but stranger things have happened with this stuff. I will try the site tools as you suggested.

Thanks

Hello Wm
Teeth are definately affected. Thankfully I have not had any problems with my teeth. I have used an over the counter floride treatment (my dentist recommended) My suggestion is that you see a dentist about what is happening. Ask him/her if they are experienced in post rad. dental care. If not then see about a referral to someone that is.

Danny, thanks for the encouragement. I keep trying for Mexican food, but that is definitely too hot and would not be the same right now without a Beer! (Being a Texan, you can certainly appreciate that.) I'm hoping the Ethyol treatments for my salivary glands, that I did every day, are going to work for me.

Mark,

I am going to see the Dentist next week! He is going to check with some of his professional friends to see if the problem could be radiation.

Thanks

Greetings from almost sunny Cape Cod. My husband completed his radiation treatment for tonsil cancer in late August. His bottom front teeth did more than become discolored. They all but crumbled. Just yesterday he came home with his new caps. It was expensive and a bit uncomfortable but well worth it. He has his beautiful smile back again. Regarding beer, his
Oncologist encouraged it, to gain weight. Now he is really smiling. It is still tastes a bit "fizzy" he says, but somehow he is managing. He does well with eating, but spicy food makes him sweat. Good luck LM

Wm3250, I'm from the midwest originally, transplanted to CA then China. I can definately identify with the beer and barbque, the first stop on hitting U.S. shores is favorite barbque place, then the Mexican food. My oncologist, plus some of the written material from the cancer center sugget the occasional Guiness for calories and to help saliva. I know, Guiness and barb-que definately heresy, but there it is.

Mark, could you let us (or me) know the OTC flouride treatment the doc suggested?
Bob