#17233 03-25-2005 06:25 AM | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 3 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 3 | I have recently been diagnosed with Squamous cell of the soft palate, and will undergo surgery requiring an optorater afterwards. I'm looking for feedback from anyone living with this appliance about life with an optorater. Thank you in advance for any help offered.
Ann Marie | | |
#17234 04-28-2005 10:11 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 3 Member | | Member
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 3 | Hi Ann Marie
I was surprised to see you had had no replies to your message.(Maybe you were emailed?)I only have limited experience of the appliance. I had surgery on March 18th to remove a tumour in my upper jaw. I also lost half my upper jaw and so had to have an obturator to enable me to speak and eat. This is only a temporary device until after healing is fully complete following my radiotherapy which starts May 1th for 6 weeks. I am grateful for the benefits of the device as when i take it out for cleaning I can't speak at all and if I try to rinse my mouth out the liquid goes up my nose. ( The surgery has left a hole from my mouth into the sinus cavity.) I am getting used to having the device but it is still uncomfortable at times and my speech is not 100% - the odd whistle and some lisping, though most people say I sound fine. The main problem is that some food and liquid still goes up my nose because the hole is not sealed. I am told this will get better when i have a permanent device. Meanwhile all meals are accompanied by frequent nose blowing and the tissues always have to be at hand. I can still only eat soft foods - chewing is pretty near impossible. If you have any questions please get in touch either on the board or by emailing me. I assume you have now had your surgery. hope you are recovering well. Take care.
Maggie
maggie
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#17235 04-29-2005 03:20 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Ann Marie,
Please check your email for a personal note from me.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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#17236 04-29-2005 07:19 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | Maggie..Thank you for bringing this message to the top of the list again. It is very unusual for a poster to get no responses, and I am unsure how that happened. Obturators are a common part of maxillary reconstruction, and people get several of them as the tissues heal and change shape after the initial surgery. I believe that Dr. Wilck will likely have some helpful information here, but I hope to have a piece written about them for the main body of the web site in a month or so. (It is out for review at our advisors offices now.) How about some posts from our members that have an obturator please.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.
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