I had both surgery and radiation treatment 12 years ago for my oral cancer. I just found out that the carotid on the side where I had the surgery and radiation is nearly completely closed from plaque. The other carotid is 65% closed. I am wondering if there is a correlation for the advanced stage of closure due to the treatments on that side of my neck for the cancer. I am so grateful to be still free of cancer. I had quit chewing tobacco a year before the cancer was found and have not chewed since. Perhaps someone out there has had some knowledge of the carotid problem I am having now. All of my lymph nodes in my head were removed and I had 6 weeks of radiation. I am now 52. I have a family history of high cholesterol and have been on Crestor for 10 years now. My main question is about any correlation between the treatment and the advanced build up of plaque in that artery. It makes sense to me that it could happen but I'm not a doctor.

The answer is YES. Here is a link to a thread spanning two years discussing this. Just click on it
cartoid artery
Hope this helps
charm

Thanks much! I will go take a look.

from the OCF free news feed

http://oralcancernews.org/wp/screen-carotids-after-head-and-neck-radiation/

Since my last post I had 2 stents put in. One in my carotid and one in an artery in my chest. Both due to the effects of my previous radiation.

Hope you are doing much better now with the stents. Best wishes!

I have been doing well with the stents. But the last few days I have been very tired and seem to want to sleep all the time. I have also been have an upset stomach often. I also am having a more difficult time swallowing pills. Any ideas? Thank you.

After my husband about choked on one of his large pills we bought a pill crusher that worked great during that time.

Thanks for the posts, and links on this subject. With my three neck dissections, plus intraoperative radiation, pec flap, and CRT, there is risk of carotid leak or blow out, some occurring 7 months post treatment, for my type surgery. My carotid was already compromised from my first neck dissection when the tumor needed to be scraped off the carotid artery, and then aloderm placed on it to protect it since my neck muscle was removed. My 2nd neck dissection, another tumor had to be scraped off the carotid, as much as possible, and ENT said he couldn't go any further. For my last surgery, the aloderm had to be peeled off, which my ENT said was the most difficult part of the operation, and pec placed instead to protect the carotid, and to do further CRT.

Hope you are feeling perky now paul! ;o)

I am, thanks. I joined the YMCA on the 18th. Doing light weight exercises, and treadmill, incumbent bike for 5 minutes lol. Because I asked about the Livestrong Program, 11 weeks free, which sounded to problematic, I decided not to go that route, but they still wanted me to get medical clearance from my doctor even for the regular membership. I refused lol, and joined.

Paul,

I just went to my first Livestrong Program class at our local Y yesterday. Why did you think it would have been too problematic? I was actually waiting for a few more classes before I mentioned this program to the group here since this first class was really just getting to know the other survivors and the Y itself. The program is 12 weeks, here at least, and Thursday I hope we begin exercising! Everyone also gets a FREE 3 month Y Family (or Single depending) membership so even if I find their program not strenuous enough I can supplement it with anything else I want to participate in.

I was all psyched. It took me three years to get to this point, and it was my birthday present to myself. I just wanted to get a little exercise while I have the energy, and had intentiions of fully joining anyway, but inquired about the Livestrong Program they have there, thinking maybe that woud include extra activities, add time to membership. The registration desk said they were not knowledgable about it, but called a women who was. She came with an application, and said I needed my doctor's clearance, and then another women, who I know back when, would review it to see if I qualify or not, and then will set something up. Sounded like weeks of delay, and when I want to do something, I do it, so I said I'll look at it, but will join the regular membership for now. I was a member on and off for 30 years, and used to work there in my youth as a swimming instructor, and lifeguard. I was given the joining material, charge authorization, etc to fill out, and then comes another worker, Phil, who said I need to have medical clearance before I join. I said since when? Informing him I rejoined at least 5 times in the past without any. Phil said it was always the policy. I told him it's not enforced then, and he said they do it with someone who has a medical condition. I told Phil he knows nothing of my medical conditions, while he was eyeballing my cane lol, and told he was signaling me out, being discriminative only because I inquired about the Livestrong Program, otherwise, I would have had no problem joining, and need to see my doctor. I furthef told him I see many obese, and elderly members, some who were joining too. and doubt they needed medical clearance, and told him I'm not having anything filled out, and if he was going to let me work out or not, which he did, but said only the treadmill, which I didn't follow lol. We shjok hands, and I see him everytime I go. I can see Livestrong having their requirements, but the YMCA should not eyeball anyone to decide who has a medical condition or not, unless I could not care for myself, was intoxicated, danger to others to stop me from joining. They should have a medical waiver instead, asking a few medical questions, and based on that they could ask for medical clearance. I was going to challenge him to an arm wrestle, and winner decides lol.

[quote=davidcpa]Paul,

I just went to my first Livestrong Program class at our local Y yesterday. Why did you think it would have been too problematic? I was actually waiting for a few more classes before I mentioned this program to the group here since this first class was really just getting to know the other survivors and the Y itself. The program is 12 weeks, here at least, and Thursday I hope we begin exercising! Everyone also gets a FREE 3 month Y Family (or Single depending) membership so even if I find their program not strenuous enough I can supplement it with anything else I want to participate in. [/quote]

David, I went through the program back in 2010 and thought I posted something about it. I did post something last fall. I even went to a couple annual get togethers with Livestrong people there I think it is a great program.

If you would like to try another "shoulder" exercise for men, check out ReelRecovery.org for a venue close and sign up! It is free for cancer survivors and there are a few group discussion sessions and the rest of the time is fly fishing. They provide all the gear and match you with an experienced fly fisherman/guide that does everything for you but also ensures your safety at all times. I think this is a great weekend. Their mantra..."Be Well Fish On!"

Glad to hear your hitting the gym Paul! Slowly work that core in your spare time. I remember the first minute on the recumbent bike back in February. It was brutal and I hurt in places I didn't think nerves even went. I gasped for air and wanted to puke. Just before the San Antonio walk April 13, I was up to 60 min + 5 min cool down and 16.43 miles. I ratchet back to 45 min 2-3 times/wk and targeting 10 miles. From all I have been studying regarding getting the brain working better with the rest of the body said to maintain 90-100 rpm's for 30-40 minutes so I try that. My fasiculations and neurological issues are literally incognito for hours. I based my workouts on the Theracycle for Parkinson's since our nerve damage in the neck is very similar. I can do amazing things after the bike but can't do the same if I try it before the bike. Even walking is easier after the bike. Another plus is the bike lubricates the hips better too.

Thanks for the info on the "shoulder" exercises. lol I have never hunted or fished. I just can't seem to understand how people can hurt animals, even catch and release doesn't appeal to me. Of course I am somewhat of a hypocrite since I am a meat eater.

The Y contacted me over a year ago to participate but I just couldn't/wouldn't find the time. I hope it's not a waste of time but we'll see.

Exercise will help greatly mentally and physically!!! Enjoy... I've been doing yoga for a while on and off just started back to the gym last week. worked out with my daughter and she couldn't walk for two days later... (snerk) but I felt GREAT... power on dude!

Good for you Cheryl.

The key to catch and release David is to make sure all barbs on hooks are filed down or use barbless hooks. Then if you did one of the Reel Recovery weekends your helper would take the fish off for you. :P