Hi, well today I saw both my radiologist and chemo doctor for check ups. I am 4 weeks out of treatment. 30 rads, snd 3 cisplatin. I was worried about my salivary glands. They are swollen, which started when I began eating solid food by mouth about a week ago. I also have the dry mouth .. Both doctors told me this is from my treatments. My glands are trying to work, and they are inflamed. They also told me I look great, and maybe in 2 weeks the peg tube comes out. I am off all meds, pain meds, etc. I take 2 aleve. Only thing that really bothers me is the tightness in my neck and some swallowing discomfort. Which I can handle. My RO told ne he has another patient with the same surgery and treatment, this guy is 4 months out of treatment. RO said I am 100% lookin better and doing better than this patient. This report made me feel good........ A week from today I see my surgeon and ENT for checkup.... Thanks and prayers to all of u....

Congrats on your great check up! Sounds like you have made remarkable progress with your recovery. It will get so much easier as time goes on.

Keep up the good work

Thank you. This forum has really been great. Its nice to be able to talk to people who understand what we go through. Mentally and physically. I was a nervous wreck. I am still a little, but my doctors told me its nothing to worry about. All is normal.. peace to all

Excellent progress report! Keep on steaming forward, you'll be rolling full steam ahead in no time.

Thank you.. prayers to all.

Great news! Keep doing what's working. Plan to get off the Aleve, too. It can cause mouth blisters in some and stomach issues like ulcers. Any long term, regular use of NSAIDS isn't good.

Thanks. Lastnight and today, no pain meds at all. No aleve, advil, etc.. my neck is sore, when I swallow it is sore a little. But I, m managing it. Eating like a horse. Gaining weight is tough. Question, I had my neck cut from ear to ear. Is it normal for my jaw to be kinda numb? And a sore neck? Other than this, I feel pretty good.. peace to all.

I've had two neck dissections and both have caused numbness and neck pain/stiffness. Keep forgetting to do my exercises.

Sounds as if you are doing extremely well. Interesting what Uptown says about NSAIDs. I've always been wary of them for my mouth's sake but at the moment they seem to be the only thing that will deal to the toothache when it flares up.(Seeing dentist soon.)

Thanks. I took 1 advil today. Thats all so far. I have noticed my appetite is coming back, big time. I am a small guy, skinny. Always was.i bet im taking in close to 3000 calories a day, the last week. I have a boost in am, then eggs an pancakes. 2 more boost, and a pudding. Then dinner, noodles, mashed potatoes, taco, etc.? Then at night one more boost and a pudding. Then i use my feeding tube for 2 to 3 bottles of the nestle tube feeding formula, this is just to get extra calories... Do any of you notice it feels like your body is telling you, more calories, more nutrients... FEED ME?

Glad to hear your appetite is super now. Keep eating and drinking as you are. I'm guessing you can taste reasonably well since you are eating so well. How much taste did you lose and for how long?

Hi, thanks. Some taste is back. It seems to get better. I am trying to eat as much as possible. Only thing that bothers me is my tightness in neck and jaw. Sometimes i get sore from swallowing. I also have swollen salivary glands in cheeks and one under tongue. They dont hurt, just uncomfortable. Doctors say its from treatment.

I am 15 months post tx and have very few lingering side effects worthy of mention. One that is present is what you describe: tightening of the neck area. I have this and just have to stretch and turn and raise my head to stretch the area, just on the side where the enlarged nodes were. There is also a slightly raised area along the nodes but zero pain.

I also get a shooting pain/muscle spasm under my jaw once in awhile. Just work it out like a leg cramp. Overall, neither barely registers on the complaint meter.

Good luck

Thank u. Good luck to u too. I see my ENT-SURGEON monday for check up. Fingers are crossed. I am only 4 1/2 weeks out of treatment... prayers to all