| Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 | stage 3 no nodes HPV 16 small tumor base of tongue with sunmucosal tail. Was eating pretty good since finishing eggs pancakes and steak even. The last two weeks I seem to be getting a new problem where I choke on liquid all early morning and cant seem to eat anything solid seems to be getting stuck, Also feeling of liquid splashing up into my nose. As the day goes on I seem to get better and can eat all foods. Very little saliva. The mornings are driving me up a wall. Went to see an ent two days ago and he said no signs of disease and healing looks ok. Larry | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | HI there... okay did you have radation? Surgery?
Stage three - is NOT a small tumor. Especially if it's been staged at three without nodal involvement. That would make a a LARGE tumor to start. And cancer can seed to the nodes without being detected on a scan.
What treatment have you had?
Assuming you've had radiation then the swallowing issues could be swelling and fibrosis.
hugs...
Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
| | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 | Sorry to hear it Lawrence. Cheryl is as always spot on. If you're had rads your throat can undergo changes for several years afterward, as I can attest. Have you had a scope lately? I couldn't eat anything solid for a good six months after my treatment.
David 2 SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 559 Likes: 1 | Lawrence: Welcome to the family.
Was your ENT appointment possibly at the time when you experience your symptoms? It's a stretch, but I suppose it possible to have swelling of some sort in the morning and then it goes away later.
Where are you in your treatment schedule? Have you had surgery already?
Do you eat or drink anything different in the morning that you don't consume later in the day that might be causing or contributing to the swelling?
Tony
Tony, 69, non-smoker, aerobatics pilot, bridge player/teacher, avid dancer (ballroom, latin, swing, country)
09/13 SCC, HPV 16, tonsillectomy, T2N0. 11/13 start rads, no chemo 12/13 taste gone, dry mouth, 02/14 hair slowly returning 05/14 taste the same, dry sinuses, irrigation helps. 01/15 food taste about 60% returned, dry sinuses are worse in winter. 12/20 no more sinus problems, taste pretty good
| | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | Welcome, and sorry for your difficulties. As with any changes, pain, that does not go away, you need to tell your doctor, who should rule out a cancer recurrence like the ENT did. They can refer you to a SLP, Speech and Language Pathologist, to help you. Usually they do a swallow study, with a modified barium swallow, and see if there are any problems there, offer suggestions, and exercises to do. I had one done 3 weeks ago, and was able to help.
Good luck.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 | had radiation and chemo. No surgery . Was eating fine for two months after treatments buy know having trouble. Mostly in the morning upon waking. Does time help with the swelling and fibrosis I am a nervous wreck already | | | | Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 | Tony(great name) not eating anything different but starting to think it is swelling. Had no surgery 35 rad and some chemo. 3 months since last treatment and now having this issue Go figure. Lorenzo | | | | Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 | thanks for the advice Paul Will keep you informed as I go. Larry | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | Three months is early. While everyone is different, and so is the amount of radiation, and location of it, and the BOT is integral for swallowing, and was heavily radiated. I couldn't eat anything for at least 7 weeks post treatment, and that was maybe a teaspoon of broth, cream of wheat. It was many more months before I can barely say I ate a meal. Radiation has short term toxicities, that resolve less than three months, and long term toxicities, more than 3 months, some which can take months, years, decades to resolve, happen or not at all. Chemo effects usually start several days after infusion, and resolve after treatment, but some can be long term, depending on the chemo, dosage amount, frequency, and infusion rate, like hearing, neuropathy, kidneys, vision. People often have swelling, dry mouth, difficulty in the morning for many reasons. I sleep on an incline bed, some use humidifiers to help with dryness, and other things to help.
Good luck.
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil 11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp 01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks 06/11 30 HBO 08/11 RND PNI 06/12 SND PNI LVI 08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy 10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux 10/13 SND 10/13 TBO/Angiograph 10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI 12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo 11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO 03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN 09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy 04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site 06/17 Heart Attack Stent 02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | 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 | Ask for a barium swallowing test to see whats going on with your swallowing. You want to ensure you are not getting food and liquids into your lungs by aspirating when you try to eat and drink. Take extra time to eat small bites/sips and try to eat and drink slowly. 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: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 | thanks Paul ,your reply makes me feel like I am doing better than most! Larry | | | | Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 Member | OP Member Joined: Dec 2013 Posts: 6 | thanks cristine . I will consider that!! | | |
Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,927 Members13,104 | Most Online458 Jan 16th, 2020 | | | |