#56369 04-24-2005 12:32 AM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | This is surely a minor inconvenience and one I can live with, but I was wondering if anyone has found a cream or lotion or anything that cuts down on the "drawing" or "pulling" sensation that occurs during the healing of an incision. I do find this especially annoying when it happens while I am trying to fall asleep.
Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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#56370 04-26-2005 01:38 AM | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 108 Gold Member (100+ posts) | | Gold Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 108 | Hello Jerry; I've never found any magic cream although some folks have recommended VitE or cocoa butter. One thing that has helped though is the instruction of my physio on scar tissue massage and mobilization. I warm up the area with a gel pack or warm cloth for 5 mins then use plain old baby oil and massage away. Part of the process is meant to mobilize the lymph drainage and it does work. The edema has all but gone, but each morning, I do that scar tissue massage on the little one under my chin and the big ones where the muscle was resected and I do believe it has made a difference as my mobility is increasing, and the pulling is hardly an issue. BTW, I didn't start this until 4 weeks after surgery when everything was well healed.
For what its worth, that's my remedy.
All the best,
Fran
SCC Base of tongue diag. April 04 Stage IV, mets to rt. neck multiple nodes 35 rads+8 boosts First recurrence Jan05. Rt.rad neck dissection Feb02/05. Recurred with bone mets in neck July 05.
Committed to survival with dignity.
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#56371 04-26-2005 05:31 AM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Thanks Fran,
I will check tomorrow with my physical therapist (also a lumphedema therapist) as to when I can start trying out your suggestions.
Hope things are going well for you since your recurrence and treatment.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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#56372 04-26-2005 07:08 AM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,244 | Hi Jerry
My surgeon says it's not what you massage in, it's the massage itself that helps. My pt adviser taught me some gentle streaching exersises from day 4 after my operation they helped as well. You'll get there...
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
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#56373 04-26-2005 01:16 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Helen,
Thanks or the advice about massaging the area. Last week the therapist did that, but did not teach me how to do it myself. I will aks her about it tomorrow.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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#56374 04-26-2005 02:00 PM | Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 206 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Jun 2002 Posts: 206 | Hi Jerry, I have a neck pillow and it really helps. I'm 16 years out and still have problems
with it. Hope it helps.
Cathy
Cathy
SCCA Stage IV diagnosed 01/90
base of tongue with 1/2 removed.
With neck resection, radiation and chemo
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#56375 04-26-2005 02:33 PM | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi Jerry,
I used Biafine on the neck scars to help improve healingaaaaand scarring, and stretching against the scar to handle tightening. I had PT for months after surgery which included heating pads to the neck and back for part of the treatment and exercises to improve strength and all sorts of massage to get rid of excess lymph fluid in the neck. Glad you are doing so well.
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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#56376 04-26-2005 03:15 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Jerry,
The combination of stretching, massaging, and the passage of time should help you see some improvement. (Coincidentally, it is now 16 years to the day since I had a partial glossectomy and neck dissection.) The tightness and numbness around my scar were noticeable for quite awhile, but eventually the scar tissue softened up, the nerves regenerated, and that entire area pretty much reverted to "normal" -- bit by bit.
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#56377 04-26-2005 04:09 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Thank you everyone for your help. I have printed all your reponses out and will be looking into them all.
Jerry
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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#56378 04-28-2005 01:15 PM | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Thanks everyone again.
It seems that proper massage is the answer. I've had 3 sessions with the lymphedema therapist and there has been some improvement. She is moving the accumulated lymph fluid around and out, has manipulated the scar area and broken down the adhesions and generally made it feel much better. The scar is much softer now and more moveable.
I certainly can handle this small inconvenience however, I am looking forward to regaining feeling in my ear and neck.
Thnaks again.
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
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