#3416 08-29-2004 06:28 PM | Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) |  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,384 Likes: 1 | Hey Erik the "SECRET" is us! 
Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.
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#3417 08-30-2004 04:26 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Erik-
I used the humidifyer and also salagen tablets to get through the night. One suggestion I heard but didn't need was to keep a childs tippy cup next to your pillow for a quick, dripless drink. Hang in there, it really does get better!!! - Kris
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 :-)
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#3418 08-30-2004 05:38 PM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 | Erik, one last suggestion that helped me, the original mouth breather. I used the nose strips designed to reduce snoring. That opened my nasal passages enough so that I could keep my mouth closed. This was a big help. The humidifier also made a positive difference. If you had IMRT radiation as I did, you may experience increasing saliva that will make this problem a thing of the past. It does take a while to kick in, though. | | |
#3419 09-05-2004 12:02 PM | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 8 Member | | Member
Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 8 | Hi Erik,
I've been helping to take care of my sister and our family has a history of trying various holistic methods because our Dad was a Chiropractor many years ago. Anyway, I found a liquid vitamin/mineral supplement that worked really well to help keep her mouth moist (even after salivary glands were surgically removed). The product name is Body Balance and it's made by Life Force International. (Hope I'm not in trouble for sharing this specific information, but she swears it made a big difference for her, and the fact that it's liquid was a special blessing.) She was able to use the Body Balance before she started on Duragesic patches, but now the hospice nurse made her discontinue it in case of some interaction. Hope the information helps someone who doesn't need to worry about the drug interaction.
Best of luck to you and hope your dry mouth is juicy soon!
DenverSis
DenverSis
Sister has SCC on tongue- surgeries in 1979, 1997, 2002, 2003- radiation 2002 & 2003- 7/04 70 yr old sister opted for hospice & palitive care- 8/22/04 I moved to GA from Denver to help & love.
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