#54795 05-16-2004 04:17 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 Platinum Member (300+ posts) |  Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 | Hi Minnie
For the first 6 or 7 months after finishing rad one can pretty much forget about getting back to normal, still healing from the rad if the rad isn't even still working. Remember, one month recoup time for each week of rad. Not to mention we tend to loose muscle mass as the body takes from the muscle mass we do have to help with the healing process from radiation. On top of that, the rad itself cooks some muscles, and even you only have rad/surgery on one side, the other side is going to get stiff from over compensating from the weakness of the treatment side. Also, probably during the treatment phase we lead pretty sedentary life styles and arent' that active, and that also dosn't help matters.
And, we aren't spring chickens anymore.
So what you're going though is pretty much par for the course. I started a basic excersize program, taking it easy at first. Rowing machine, light weights, swimming. Right side almost back to normal, left side, where they took muscle for the graft still not as strong, probably never will be. Small price to still be around to complain about it though.
Bob
SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.
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#54796 05-17-2004 07:38 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | I had my mediport removed Friday and except for a bit of pain in that area, I am so excited to have no more devices or tubes left in this (lean) body. I have managed to ride the bike and lift a few weights the past 3 months and even though I feel a little fatigue from time to time, it almost feels back to normal! Ed 
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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#54797 05-17-2004 07:57 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Ed..
Great another step back on the real world.. Yuk weights and a bike.. noooo... would need more red wine to do that....
love and hugs
Helen
SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04
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#54798 05-17-2004 05:31 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | Dear Minniea:I just had my neck dissection (staples out 3 days ago). Neck is stiff and nerve pain in about an 18" radius around the collar bone/neck connection point. After my rad/chemo I was very weak and enemic(sp). Doctor put me on Procrit which got me back to good blood components, both white and red cells, and brought my strenght back like magic. It was truly amazing. I am in a light exercise program for the surgery now, just moving head, neck, shoulder a little a few times per day. Will keep at it and hopefully get more and more a build the muscle back up. However, I lost my spring chickeness about 30 years ago, so I don't expect miracles, but exercise will improve almost anything, done in moderation and at a slow pace. Also, I have no pain, stiffness, soreness, anything on the left side (non-surgery side). Sounds like light exercise might help. When you had your surgery, they should have given you a couple of exercise sheets. If you can't find yours, I can FAX you a copy of mine. they're easy, I do them as I pick up my daughter from school. Regards, Kirk Georgia
Regards, Kirk Georgia
Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
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