#55673 10-26-2004 05:30 AM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Hi All,
I have a question for those with flaps. Do you chew your food on the flap side and if so, how do you do it? I have not been able to maneuver my food on flap side, so I chew everything on opposite side, I am having some wear and tear issues on that side now. Any suggestions, Thanks, and have a great day everybody!!! 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---
| | |
#55674 10-26-2004 10:09 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Hi Carol
Waited till I ate a meal before coming back to you!!! Yep I can chew on the flap side BUT half my tongue, and the back of my throat is numb, so after I've chewed it I LOSE IT, not quite sure where it is, so swollowing can be a bit hit and miss. I'm going to the dentist on Thursday, I've some pain issues when I chew, don't know what they did to my teeth, don't want anyone poking around in my mouth YET...No wear and tear issues yet but I'm only 8 weeks from surgery, so who knows.. The only good thing is you don't have to chew red wine!!!
Sunshine... 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
| | |
#55675 10-26-2004 03:58 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 | Hi Carol! Great question! I never thought to ask anyone else what they do. Every bite I take seems to naturally go to the flap side & it takes some effort to get it over to the tongue side. I kinda feel like I'm probably having some tooth wear issues also. I would imagine the meshing & alignment are off. I'm sure I use my teeth for food manipulation since the tongue doesn't do the job so well anymore. I lose wads of chewed up food also, only to discovery it in the back of my throat in a pocket or something! Kinda have to hack it up & reswallow or rechew & then reswallow. Sorta gross, but the things we have to do to adapt, huh? At least I don't choke or cough to much anymore! Grateful for the little things!
dx 2/11/04 scca bot T3 IU 2B MO poorly differentiated, margins ok, 3/16 modest, jaw split, over half of tongue removed, free flap from left forearm - finished chemo & rad treatment 5/20/04
| | |
#55676 10-27-2004 01:59 PM | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,116 | Hey Guys, thanks so much for the feedback. The things we go thru but yep, we are still here!!!Have a wonderful evening!!! 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---
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,927 Members13,104 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
