Hello to All, Does anyone have any new ideas on how to help relieve the numbness and swelling in the face and neck area? John had the modified radical neck dissection surgery on 2/6/03 - and the side of his face is quite puffed up, along with under the chin and side of neck. He has tried the lateral massage and that is not helping too much. He also tried sleeping propped up at night - but that is not good, since he always ends up sliding down on the pillow - and ends up in a flat position. He has tried taking Advil (as the doctor advised) but that's not doing anything either. Some days are better than others - but as of today he said it feels worse than before. The doctor on his last visit on the 25th, said that it just has to "run it's course". But I was wondering if using one of those hand-held electric massagers would do any good? There's a lot of numbness in the facial and neck area, so maybe something with more intensity would be helpful. Any ideas or thoughts on this would be appreciated. Thanks for your help!

Donnajean, it has been one year since my modified radical neck dissection, and I have residual numbness that I expect to have forever more. There has been a great improvement in feeling in the past year, and I even think some continuation of improvement now. For example, now when my neck itches and I scratch it, I can feel it. Not as acutely as on the undamaged side, but still a lot better than before. I think patience is the virtue necessary here. As far as the remaining numbness, I look on that as a small price to pay for what I gained from the surgery. Tell your husband to hang in there. I am sorry about the continued swelling and have no suggestions. I do know that my neck still feels tight in the evenings, but that is not visible.
Joanna
Edited to add that I wouldn't advise use of an electric massager without an okay from the doc.

DonnaJean,
I am not sure if your husband's constant tiredness and inflammation are a result of abnormal blood sugar level as your husband is diabetic. Since I am also suffering from type II diabetes, my oncologist always explains to me that the illness makes me feel tired and the healing of mouth sore takes a much longer time than other people. I am more than a year post treatment and the sore on my tongue never goes away even though I have tried hard to maintain my blood sugar level.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.

Thanks Joanna and Karen, Today Johnny was really sick - his left ear (not the side that was treated) is totally blocked - he thinks from using a Q-tip a few days ago and may have impacted some wax, but that's just his opinion. He also had diarrhea and threw up 3x today. I have no idea what from. I took his temperature when I got home from work - and it was in the normal range. I don't know if he was so sick from an "inner ear infection" or could it be the swelling? It could be maybe something he ate - but we both ate the same thing the night before - and I wasn't ill from it. He only had cereal this morning - so that couldn't be it. He also had a bad headache -but after a couple of Excedrin's I gave him - that seemed to subside. He also said that the "OralBalance" gel he uses - often builds up in the back of his throat and makes him gag - so that could have contributed to it. His surgeon recommended NOT to use that - but just drink water instead to keep his mouth moist. Boy, I tell you - if it isn't one thing it's another. It's so frustrating! Sorry to keep rambling - but this swelling has both got us at our wits end. But we will muddle through somehow I guess! I just feel so helpless - I wish I could do "something" to ease the inflammation.

Oops - make that 4x he got sick today - just recently after trying to swallow some of his daily pills. He didn't have any trouble with them before (except for the really huge ones) - but as of today - he seems to gag on them and throws up. He has another dr's appt. in 2 weeks. In the meantine, does anyone have a clue what could be causing this? He was doing fairly OK yesterday - tired, but not sick like he is today.

Donnajean, I am confused (as well as really sorry for your husband). The thread title mentions inflammation, which indicates inflamed, red skin, but you then mention just swelling. If the swelling is indeed inflamed, that means it is probably infected, and needs to be seen to by his doctor. Make sense?
Joanna

Donnajean,

I don't have a clue as to what is going on, just that something is definitely WRONG! Please call the doctor and see if they can't get him an earlier appt. Tell them everything you just said here in your post. 2 weeks is too long to wait.

Good luck,
Rosie

DonnaJean,
OralBalance gel isn't good for me, either.Drinking water so far is the best tool to keep the mouth moist for some time. Don't compare yourself with your husband who is much weaker now and the stomach can be very sensitive to any food he takes. I won't say that having a diarrhea and throwing up is normal but don't panic. Rosie is right that the best thing to do now is to see the doctor as soon as possible. Never wait until you have all your questions answered. By the way, Rosie, how is Heather doing these days? Has she started chemo yet? My best wishes to you all.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.

Thanks everyone. Joanna - I need to clarify. His face and especially under the chin - do not really look red - slightly pink, but definitely not red in color. It's pretty warm to the touch - and I asked him what does it feel like for him, and he said it was like "someone coming up from behind your neck and trying to choke you". There's a definite firmness around the side of the face and neck and under the chin (on the side of the surgery). I'm helping him with the massage - and he says it feels good when I do that - but it's not bringing down the puffiness. I realize by everyone's response - that this is going to take time, but it's driving him nuts! It's effecting his eating habit - he's not eating as much as of late, but still managing with most solids - since he wants to try and get as much nutrition and calories he can get. He's still has lost a great deal of weight - but trying to maintain the weight he's at now. However I noticed that he has lost a LOT of muscle mass in his legs and arms. What muscle he had there has turned to "hanging flab". I would imagine this is from the relative inactivity he's experiencing - considering he just lays around on most days (too tired!). The blocked ear he had the other day is not as bad today - thanks to some Cipro ear drops he has been using. Also - he did not throw up today - and for the most part, the diarhhea is better too. He does have a lot of the "phlegm problem" that's returned - even now when he has not been using the Oral Balance gel - there's still a lot of the phlegm buildup. I just can't believe that with all the medicines that are available for all different kinds of ailments - there is nothing the doctor can give him to bring this swelling (probably not inflammation) down. Thanks again for listening - and I hope everyone is doing well. Good luck and best wishes to everyone here too.

Donnajean,

I can only speak from my experience on this. About 2 weeks post-op, in September 2002, the swelling under my neck started to move up to the side of my face. I was told to expect the swelling and discomfort UNDER my chin. I called my Surgeon and went to the hospital where a cat scan revealed 2 pockets of infection in the surgical field. These were opened, drained and allowed to heal inside to outside. I ended up in the hospital on antibiotics and anti fugal medications for a week. This may not be the problem your husband is experiencing but I would have it checked sooner than later, it does not sound right! Take care. I forgot to mention, I had the mandible split and left side neck dissection for tonsil/tongue(small section) SCC. Radiation was post-Op.

Glenn