#54052 11-02-2003 02:17 AM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | When I had my surgery the nerve was cut that goes to my bottom lip, the left half of it anyways. Do any of you find that your lip droops at all??
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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#54053 11-02-2003 01:05 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 | While I do not have it for the same reasons, it is not an uncommon end result in some surgeries, and cannot be avoided many times. In my case 3 years out from radiation treatments, I began to develop nerve damage from the radiation treatments which has caused a similar situation. It will only get worse for me as time goes on, yours will likely stay the same forever. But for all of us, I suspect we view this as a very small price to pay for still being on this side of the grass.
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. | | |
#54054 11-02-2003 04:06 PM | Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,627 | Yes, I do consider it a small price to pay and I will gladly pay that and more if needed. I am told there is surgery that can be done to try to help this situation if it gets worse, but it's something I can certainly live with rather then go into the hospital again! Thanks for the reply.
SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.
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#54055 11-03-2003 03:05 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 41 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: May 2003 Posts: 41 | Hi Minniea, I had what I called a "Nike smile" because my smile looked like the Nike logo. I had no feeling in my ear and the whole left side of my face. I worked daily on my facial muscles, and I got my smile back after a few months. The feeling to my ear finally came back, and 1 1/2 years now post treatment, I am only numb below my jaw and to the borders of the neck dissection. I don't know in your case if doing facial exercises will help, but I think it helped me. O-O
Head and neck SCC TXN2bM0 stage IV Finished treatment 6/02
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#54056 11-03-2003 04:22 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 139 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 139 | Thanks, Powerlifter! It is good to know that I may get feeling back in my ear in a year or so. You should try putting in pierced earrings! Judy U
Judy U Stage I SCC floor of mouth, left radical neck dissection 8/03
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#54057 11-15-2003 08:31 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 17 Member | Member Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 17 | Hi Guys!! I too went through the numbness thing. I can only say it took about a year post radiation before I started to get feeling back.Now most of the numbness is under the chin and right side of my neck where dissection was done. I know what you mean about earrings I didn't wear mine for about ten months. Gwen | | |
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