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#178081 03-09-2014 11:49 AM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 644
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Alpaca Offline OP
"OCF Down Under, Kiwi"
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
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"OCF Down Under, Kiwi"
"Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 644
Likes: 1
Nearly three weeks after surgery and finding it hard to clean my mouth. I can't gargle and swish and I'm almost out of the green swabs supplied by the hospital. Someone gave me a little pointed syringe to swish water onto the flap but I'm struggling with that, getting my body wetter than my mouth.

I have long thought of investing in a waterpik but feel that right now would be too early to use it. I need a gentler, more manageable syringe than the one I've got and I'm going to have to order some swabs online. There doesn't seem to be a New Zealand outlet.

I have a very stiff jaw which also makes things hard.

Any ideas?


1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.
Alpaca #178082 03-09-2014 11:55 AM
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 185
Likes: 3
Senior Member (100+ posts)
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Senior Member (100+ posts)

Joined: May 2013
Posts: 185
Likes: 3
Waterpik is worth the investment. The settings are adjustable to your liking.


Age 55 HPV 16+ SCC, BOT 050613 Stage IV
great team at OSU
Tx 6 weeks of rad started June 3
8 weeks of chemo started May 28
RTOG Phase III trial Cetuximab group.
Treatment completed 7/16/2013
PET Scan completed 10/08/13
Results discussed 10/11/13
NED - Free but am I
Next part of the journey?
1year PET 10/24/14 NED
Good reports now 10 years out.
Alpaca #178090 03-09-2014 04:25 PM
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,406
Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
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Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)

Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,406
I'm so sorry to read of your troubles, Alpaca! I second James's suggestion of the Waterpik. The one I bought has a range of settings from barely pulsing to quite strong. I have to think you can find one where you live. At a minimum you can get it on Amazon (always use the OCF link!).

Sending good thoughts your way.


David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
Alpaca #178184 03-11-2014 01:13 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 212
Gold Member (200+ posts)
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Gold Member (200+ posts)

Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 212
I vote for the water pik. I bought one 4 years ago, shortly after treatment and still use it often. That is one of the lingering side effects, when I eat there is always food stuck to my teeth. It must be a lack of saliva issue.

steve


70 male, athlete...again
SSC of undetermined orgin , early july 09
40 tx radiation, 8 chemo cisplatin and ebuterx
finished TX in mid Sept 09
Clear at the 6 year mark!
Back to swimming, biking and running! just a tad slower
never regained my weight, even when I eat lots and lots, just a skinny guy now

Just way glad to be seeing the green side up!




Alpaca #178247 03-12-2014 05:24 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
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"OCF Canuck"
Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,260
Likes: 3
get the waterpik deluxe with the tongue cleaner (spoon like attachment) it's awesome. Lowest setting it will shoot the water around your mouth with minimal pain but it cleans really well. Hugs.


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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