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Joined: Oct 2011
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Apologies for not keeping current. While I posted after Jerry completed treatment, I have not kept up. Seems trying to get back into work a bit, giving our son a bit more care and dealing with other family matters -- gramma -- well, I've just been bad!
All things considered Jerry is Ok. There is however, this dang sore on side of tongue that just does not want to heal! Pointed out to doctor at 4-week check up and he just said it needed time to heal. Patience is becoming difficult. Jerry returned to work last week out of necessity and well, the talking required to conduct a days business has his tongue in so much pain he has returned entirely to tube feedings. I had put 8 lbs back on him but now that has dropped back to only 2-3. I worry that the departing 3 blasts of high dose radiation within 24 hrs may have permanently burnt off part of his tongue -- yes, I am the overreactive paranoid type but keep it to myself. Only here would I share that fear.

Anyway, suggestions, thoughts advice would be greatly appreciated. Jerry does have and use the magic mouthwash, he does rinse with salt and soda, he does topical apply oralgel, he does take antidepressants (getting pretty down) and ativan to sleep at night. Insisted on getting off narcotics early. Has no desire to get back on pain meds.

I just want to help him feel better. Although we do not talk about it to each other, there is definitely anxiety swirling around in our heads and stomachs. We do not return to doc until May 24 when he gets his CT and PET.

Thank you so much!


Gayle, CG to incredible husband, age 53 yrs
DX 10/26/11, never smoked, casual drinker
Stage 4, T2 N3 SCC, right tonsil, node cluster in r. neck
Tx 2-3 cycles induction chemo followed by chemo-radiation 33 treatments w/concurrent cisplatin for six weeks of 7 week treatment
PEG in 02.03.12
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Hi, Gayle
My husband had bad burns from scatter off his dental work - maybe that's an issue. He found the viscous lidocaine useful for drinking meals just after treatment.
Did he talk to his RO, MO or ENT about the problem? I would try talking to one of the other ones - or their nurses.
Some on this site swear by manuka honey - we never used it, but maybe worth asking about.
Is it possible that thrush as adding to the problem?
Re pain meds - my husband got off the narcotics early, but did take Ibuprohen. Maybe ask one of the doctors about non-narcotic pain relief / anti-inflamtories.

Good luck to you both!


Last edited by Maria; 04-18-2012 12:08 PM.

CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
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Thank you Maria! So this different than the 'magic mouthwash?'


Gayle, CG to incredible husband, age 53 yrs
DX 10/26/11, never smoked, casual drinker
Stage 4, T2 N3 SCC, right tonsil, node cluster in r. neck
Tx 2-3 cycles induction chemo followed by chemo-radiation 33 treatments w/concurrent cisplatin for six weeks of 7 week treatment
PEG in 02.03.12
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
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Hi there the lidocaine is in magic mouthwash.. Does he have a tooth or something that is irritating his tongue? I find that happens with me occasionally - is it a sore or a reddened area - I know talking when it's painful just aggravates it. When I have a sore tongue day (or two!) I switch to soothing cool creamy ish type foods to help my tongue recuperate - I also am careful about which side I sleep on sleeping with the sore area pressing up against something isn't helpful. And having an ibuprofen will help with pain and inflammation. When I'm having a particularly bad sore tongue day I do go back to the manuka for a few days... But do keep a close eye on it... And show it to a different doc. Good luck!


Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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Thank you Cheryld! It's not red and his teeth are perfect (hope they stay that way!). The best way I can describe it is a large, flat blister -- about 1-inch long by half inch high. It's been there from and since the radiation. Talked with dentist yesterday. He has recommended we go to an oral surgeon if no sign of improvement in 10 days. I'm just praying for no further intervention. I know Jerry is getting so depressed.

Remind me where I get the manuka? I was thinking that it was a prescription that our doctor was resistant to during treatment but now almost six weeks out perhaps it's ok? But then again, I believe what little memory power I had before all of this, well, pretty much gone now. So any prompts and reminders are always appreciated! Thanks again!


Gayle, CG to incredible husband, age 53 yrs
DX 10/26/11, never smoked, casual drinker
Stage 4, T2 N3 SCC, right tonsil, node cluster in r. neck
Tx 2-3 cycles induction chemo followed by chemo-radiation 33 treatments w/concurrent cisplatin for six weeks of 7 week treatment
PEG in 02.03.12
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 945
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Hi, Gayle - the viscous lidocaine seems to do a better job of deadening the pain.

You can order the maunka online - Cheryl may have a preferred source to point you at.

Other stuff - add a humifier to Jerry's desk at work and next to the bed so that dryness isn't exacerbating the problem.

Text or IM him to keep up your communication - if you're not talking to him so you don't make his mouth hurt its likely not helping your relationship and his depression. Been there, done that, it took me a while to tell what was going on.

Ask him to help you with something he can do without talking or fatiguing himself. Maybe - pruning a tree in the nice spring sunshine, or reaching stuff in a closest, or putting moisture cream on your back. You're probably trying to do as much as you can for him - however practical, it may not be the best thing for him emotionally.

My advice to you, personally - get out for lunching and shopping with girlfriends if you can - you need a break, too!

Last edited by Maria; 04-19-2012 10:58 AM. Reason: typo

CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
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Manuka honey can be purchased at health food stores or online. Not sure if it is sold thru Amazon or not. Whenever you buy from Amazon, please always remember to use the link located in the green box on the main forum pages. This will help OCF by giving a tiny percentage of your purchases back to OCF. This is a HUGE help to OCF as it is a very small non-profit that runs on a shoe string budget. By remembering to always use the Amazon link it enables OCF to maintain this forum and continue to help thousands of patients and caregivers.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
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Thanks again everyone from your timely responses!

Amazon indeed has manuka honey -- in fact, there are so many choices I would welcome a recommendation.

I do have two humidifiers that run in the house. Great idea tho to get a small personal one for his office.

I like the idea of shopping with girlfriends. Now if I just had a few girlfriends and some money to shop -- you've all been there with the medical bills too I'm sure. Not complaining - remain ever thankful that we had medical insurance!

Thank you!


Gayle, CG to incredible husband, age 53 yrs
DX 10/26/11, never smoked, casual drinker
Stage 4, T2 N3 SCC, right tonsil, node cluster in r. neck
Tx 2-3 cycles induction chemo followed by chemo-radiation 33 treatments w/concurrent cisplatin for six weeks of 7 week treatment
PEG in 02.03.12
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
"OCF Canuck"
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Hi there if Rees a whole foods or health food store near you you. Can likely buy it there.

Brand isn't all that important - you're looking for 16+ organic... It can sting at first but then you feel a soothing to the area.. If its not an open sore it may not hurt much but it does help or it helped me - it's nature's hydrogen peroxide it's a would healer etc. hugs and good luck,


Cheryl : Irritation - 2004 BX: 6/2008 : Inflam. BX: 12/10, DX: 12/10 : SCC - LS tongue well dif. T2N1M0. 2/11 hemigloss + recon. : PND - 40 nodes - 39 clear. 3/11 - 5/11 IMRT 33 + cis x2, PEG 3/28/11 - 5/19/11 3 head, 2 chest scans - clear(fingers crossed) HPV-, No smoke, drink, or drugs, Vegan
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I think I would call the doc and rule out any kind of yeast or anything. Did he take Diflucan during radiation? Kevin had that every day. Once he stopped and his tongue got worse, they put him on it again for a couple days. Seems like that was something he put in his feeding tube because it tasted disgusting. Kev did have a sore on his tongue for a long time too. I think it was gone by Christmas. That was 2 months out.
GREAT to hear from you.
Kathy


Kathy wife/caregiver to:
Kevin age:53
Dx 7/15/11
HPV16+ SCC Stage IV BOT/R
Non smoker, casual drinker
7/27/11 Cistplatin, taxotere,5FU 2/3week sessions, followed by IMRT 125cgy x 60 (2x daily) w/Erbitux weekly. Last rad 10/26/11. Last Erbitux 10/27/11
PEG placed 9/1/11 Removed 11/8/11
Clear PET 10/12 and 10/13 and ct in 6/14
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