| | Joined: May 2013 Posts: 42 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: May 2013 Posts: 42 | Will be 3 weeks post tx this week. And have a couple things have been wondering -
I know there are a lot of variables and all very individual based on healing etc... But when do most people get their voice back? All my husband is able to do is whisper, and he was told not to do that , as this could damage his vocal cords...secretions are thinner and most the time he is able to manage to swallow ,but frequently seems like he gets a surge almost like someone turned his salivary glands on- noticed happens quite a lot when he's trying to communicate.
Colleen
Wife/advocate for husband. 52 yo nonsmoker
ISSC tonsil stage IVa. HPV + Enlarged node & tonsil,
CT 2/13
Bx lt tonsil 3/8,
PET 3/16
Tx started 4/9/2013 Cisplatin x3 and IMRT x 7 wk
Tx end 5/29
GT 5/24-7/17
Officially in Recovery Phase! : )
CT scan 8/13-NED !
CT scan 7/14-NED
5/2018- 5 year anniversary -NED
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | When I lost my voice it returned right around 3 weeks post rads. So Im hoping it should be very soon for your husband.
The mucous will one day just stop and then within a day or 2 the dry mouth will begin. Maybe your husband is getting ready for that change over???
So much of his recovery depends upon the nutrition and hydration continuing to remain very high. For the first year post rads he should get at least 2500 calories and 48 oz of water every single day. Another experienced member will say he needs much more than that in water and has a medical article to back it up. I would talk with an experienced nutritionist. One who has dealt with many other OC patients and see what they recommend is Whichever is correct, make certain he continues to do this for at least the next year to help his body make a full recovery. The recovery can stretch out for an entire 2 years so be prepared for a very long haul with this. Recovery can be frustrating for everyone as it cant happen quickly enough and its full of ups and downs. At 3 weeks post rads, the worst should be over and better days are coming very soon.
Hang in there!!
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  | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | My voice was gone for about 2 weeks post Tx. VERY relaxing time for my wife as she continues to tell me and anyone that listens!
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Some of the clear thicker secretions are the body's natural response to foreign objects in the airway. It can be caused by choking on food, esophageal motility reduction, etc. If it is clear then that is a sign a lot of the sloughing of dead tissue from the radiation induced stomatitis has subsided. The key is that secretions are often a sign the body is going through a healing process.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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