| | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 54 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 54 | Okay.... 1 yr out....now having swelling,dull pain and feel fluid in ear on same side as tongue cancer. Appointment on the 28th of October but have contacted Doctor to move up appt. Any one else have such symptoms?? Really worried its back.....in parotid gland?? Been bothering me 3 weeks. Yikes!!!
48 yo female, quit smoking 4yrs ago, light drinker, Stage 2 SCC, Bx3, Dx 8/22/13, surgery 9/11/13. Partial glossectomy, bilateral neck dissection levels 1-4. Tongue reconstruction with flap from forearm. 87 Lymph nodes CLEAR. Tongue margins good at 1 cm. No further treatment planned. Monthly monitoring planned for upcoming year then periodic monitoring for next 4
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 236 | ChemTeacher
You should be checked ASAP . Not to scare you but after my mom finished her radiation treatments she still had the same symptoms like the swelling in her face and down her neck and also the dull pain in her ear. She complained to the Radiation Oncologist but was told that it was side affects from the Radiation. Well it turned out that the cancer was back and this was only 5 months after her first surgery. Hopefully its nothing but get that appointment sooner if you can.
Sweetpe
Caregiver
RE:My Mother
Age 70
Non Smoker
SCC 3/4/2014 Left rear jaw
Mandiblctmy 3/25/2014
35RAD Completed on 06/03/2014
MRI 9/3/2014
25mm lobulated recurrence left mandible/floor of mouth carcinoma
9/23/14 Salvage Surgery
MET(s)
9/23/14 Salvage Surgery Not Successful
Chemo Recommended
1st Round of Cisplatin Chemo Started 10/20/14
Cisplatin stopped 11/20/14. Side affects to bad.
Chemo started again 1/22/15 Carbo/Docetaxel
Passed Away April 22,2015
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 286 "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 286 | Things creak and groan from time to time, symptoms come and go. It may be nothing, but 3 weeks is long enough to warrant investigation. Bring the appointment forward if you can and try to keep calm until you do. Hopefully its nothing.
Cheers, Dave (OzMojo) 19Feb2014 Diagnosed T2N2bM0 P16+ve SCC Tonsil. 31Mar2014 2 Cisplatin, 70gy over 7 weeks (completed 16May2014) 11August2014 PET/CT clear. 17July2019 5 years NED.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Could it be an ear infection? I had one that just seemed to go on forever, like 4 months.
Anyway you can move the appointment up?
Hopefully its nothing serious, best wishes!
ChristineSCC 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  | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | ChemTeacher, I'm not sure where you are in Texas but my otolaryngologist has fit me in at 7 am with an hour notice. When in doubt, communicate the fear. Whatever it takes for peace of mind, do it. You've been through a lot in a year.
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | HI there. Definitely have it looked at. I think you had the same surgery as me so it could also be some fluid getting into your ear canal. I know it sounds strange but it happens. When I drink thin fluids - water - depending on the day and how I am swallowing some of it gets into my ear canal and it aches a bit right below my ear.
They've rewired me inside my thoat and my swallow is off so it makes sense that some fluid may slip in there. All those little holes in your head are connected.
also as someone said - you may have an ear infection. I have had them and they hurt. In fact one of mine was about 3 months after treatment scared the crap out of me.
But it is better to have it looked at than sit wonder and worry.
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
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 54 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 54 | Thanks everyone for you advice. I got in to see my doctors today. After an hour of poking, looking, prodding and a head and neck scan....they decided that it is not a recurrence but a strained set of chewing muscles on the side where my cancer was. They took my sumandibular and sublingual salivary glands during my surgery so it couldn't be those. They both looked at my ear and saw nothing remarkable. I'm now on a muscle relaxer and anti inflammatory for the next 30 days. Oh....and my favorite.....the "no chewing" soft foods diet for 30 days. I go back for another look in 30 days as well. I feel SO MUCH better after having the scan and very thorough exam.
48 yo female, quit smoking 4yrs ago, light drinker, Stage 2 SCC, Bx3, Dx 8/22/13, surgery 9/11/13. Partial glossectomy, bilateral neck dissection levels 1-4. Tongue reconstruction with flap from forearm. 87 Lymph nodes CLEAR. Tongue margins good at 1 cm. No further treatment planned. Monthly monitoring planned for upcoming year then periodic monitoring for next 4
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Im so glad you were able to get into the doc quickly. Im sure you feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off your shoulders. Best wishes with the muscle relaxers/soft food diet.
Feel better!
ChristineSCC 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 | | | | | Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 54 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 54 | Thanks Christine, I do feel MUCH better. I'm very relieved 😁
48 yo female, quit smoking 4yrs ago, light drinker, Stage 2 SCC, Bx3, Dx 8/22/13, surgery 9/11/13. Partial glossectomy, bilateral neck dissection levels 1-4. Tongue reconstruction with flap from forearm. 87 Lymph nodes CLEAR. Tongue margins good at 1 cm. No further treatment planned. Monthly monitoring planned for upcoming year then periodic monitoring for next 4
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2010 Posts: 5,260 Likes: 3 | yeahhhhhhh! Also you do get aches and pains from time as nerves begin to heal and come back online.
HUGS... and so glad... ish... I mean it would be better if there was no problem at all but a non cancer related one works too.
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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