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| | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 6 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 6 | Hi I'm Steve 62y/o & had mouth cancer of the soft palate & they did radiation back in 2005 & was clean until Oct 2012 when it appeared on the other side of my mouth & tongue & they did surgery & removed my lymph nodes also on the R. side and now I can't swallow food but by doing some exercises I can swallow water down the right tube now.. Does anyone know of any other exercises or have any suggestions for me that could be helpful, Thanks | | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Steve
I can't stand to see "unanswered posts" so I'm repeating part of my reply to your similar question in your introduction.
My advice is to get your doctor to write a prescription ASAP for speech therapy and then make an appointment with a SLP (speech language pathologist) who has swallowing experience.
I know it sounds funny to get "speech" therapy when what you want is "swallowing' therapy but in one of those medical quirks, SLPs are the best at swallowing therapy.
Most people do regain their swallowing, so go for it.
Mine was an exceptionally complex and unfortunate situation due to extensive radiation & surgery damage.
Charm
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Steve,
I am 11 years out from diagnosis and am scheduled to start "Swallowing Boot Camp" next month. I am working with a SLP for a two week, one hour a day program to help me tune up the muscles in my throat to work food down the tube. Not exactly sure what it is going to entail other than they said "hard work." Guess this will go along with "no pain, no gain"?? Anyway, don't give up and get a referral to see a SLP! They have some tricks up their sleeves! :-)
SCC Stage IV left tonsil neck disection 3/02 radiation finished 6/02 chemo finished 9/02
Stage 2A left breast cancer 3/09, chemo and radiation, finished treatment 2/7/10 -Stage 2 right beast cancer 10/14 chemo and radiation
Every day is still a gift :-)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 6 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 6 | Kris, if you would please keep me informed how it is going with the "Swallowing Boot Camp".. Besides doing my exercises to strenghten my throat muscles they are going dilate my esophagus on the 13th + I'm going to ask the Dr. about the possibility of electrical stimulation.. Thanks | | |
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