#37469 06-08-2004 02:49 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 11 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 11 | My brother had a radical neck disection 7 weeks ago...he is getting all his teeth pulled tomorrow...and then will start on a 7 week rad txs.
The surgeon put in a trach as a precaution...and he wanted to take it out...but the radiology oncologist says it has to stay in until after radiation treatments.
This is causing my brother alot of trouble and is uncompoftable...just wondering how commom
this is.
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#37470 06-08-2004 03:15 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Hi, I am so sorry your brother has to go thru this. I had the trach for the entire hospital stay (11 days) but they took it out before I left, didn't have to deal with it thru radiation. I am sorry I cannot help you with this. God Bless you and your brother, Carol
Diagnosed May 2002 with Stage IV tongue cancer, two lymph nodes positive. Surgery to remove 1/2 tongue, neck dissection, 35 radiation treatments. 11/2007, diagnosed with cancer of soft palate, surgery 12/14/07, jaw split. 3/24/10, cancer on tongue behind flap, need petscan, surgery scheduled 4/16/10
---update passed away 8-27-11---
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#37471 06-09-2004 07:37 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 32 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 32 | I feel for your brother...the trach is a big challenge...my husband is now in week 4/6 of radiation and he is really glad he kept the trach in (though he really wanted it out before radiation)...with the trach his radiation oncologist was able to use a mouth bite and be a bit more aggressive ... john is as comfortable as possible and "uses the trach to breath" only during radiation...now the trach is difficult in that it causes irritation and makes sleeping harder...please let me know if I can help in any way... take care and best to you and your brother..
Sara
Wife of John, 40yo, SCC R Tonsil (3/10/04), s/p resection and rad neck, forarm falp, taxolx3 pre rad, rad (30 txmnts) & taxol/carbo. Now he is 49 and doing well!!!
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#37472 06-09-2004 11:37 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 146 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 146 | Hi, I had my trach and feeding tube "installed" when I underwent my total glossectomy and left / right neck dissection in July 2003. Although the trach was sometimes uncomfortable (especially during the hot, humid summer days) it never really bothered me too much (I guess I was lucky). I had the trach for 8 1/2 months and just recently had it removed. I must say, though, that I'm glad I had it, and the feeding tube, while undergoing chemo / rad treatments. Tell you brother to hang in there - it does get better - just takes a little time.
Hugs and prayers your way,
Nancy
Stage IV oral cancer (tongue), T3N2, total glossectomy with right and left modified neck dissection 7/03, rad /chemo ended 11/03
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