Lola, Im glad your procedure worked for you. Best wishes with everything!

Hi there Tina,

I am glad to see that there is some treatments available for neck tightness/lymphedema. Is there hope that laser can break away scar tissue or lymphedema fibrosis kind of hardened tissue? Could laser also help with regaining sensation or is that a matter of time and allowing nerves and blood vessels to rebuild? Do you know if this treatment is still a possibility after radiation? Are these types of treatments covered by the Canadian medicare? My husband is concerned with the quality of his daily life but he is quite proactive and has been doing Yoga since we were dismissed from the hospital on Nov. 3. Radiation starts on the 2 of January. We are staying as busy and as positive as possible and everyone here is certainly a great inspiration!

Thank you so much for your caring words and your dedication to sharing and helping each other, Sophie

Stretching and exercise is about the only thing that slows the progression of fibrosis. I have had as many as 15 sessions of PT and soft tissue manipulation with fascia cream until the neck was very soft. As soon as I get in the cold it tightens up within minutes. I can get it softer but can't sustain it.

Sorry I can't answer the laser questions. We don't seem to use the same type of laser south of the border.

Update time again. Did treatment in late august and early January. Also saw surgeon in late December.

Doc said he was amazed at the appearance and softness of the scar tissue and he's prepared to recommend this to other patients.

My experience has been positive. I had pretty significant hard lump scar tissue on the left side from under my ear almost to my chin, and halfway down my neck. That is almost entirely gone now.

My mobility is improving. I can do full neck circles, and am almost back to full range of motion looking over each shoulder (about 90%). Tilting from side to side is about 80% (from about 0 immediately post surgery).

Tightness is getting better, mostly in terms of scope. It was from my chin to mid-breastbone, and now is from the underside of my chin to above the collarbone.

I am one year into the expected 2 years of treatment, and now down to 1 of the 2 lasers (CO2 laser only now).

As I am allergic to local anesthetic I do this without any freezing, so it is painful in parts, especially as my nerve regeneration has progressed, but I believe it is worth it.

There's the update folks.

Sophie, I don't think provincial health care covers, so you would have to check with private plans. It is available after radiation. My guy is doing this pro bono for me, which is awesome, so I didn't have to pursue coverage.

It's hard to say if it has helped with the sensation or if it's just the passage of time, but it has definitely helped with mobility. I specifically addressed the breakdown of the hard scar tissue and swelling with my surgeon, as I wanted an unbiased opinion, and he was unequivocal that the treatment had helped. He was actually amazed at how helpful it was (he was skeptical going in, but said it couldn't hurt to try).

I have continued with my physio, of course, as I certainly want to give myself the best shot at full RoM.

I think it's certainly worth looking into.

Hi Tina, so happy this us working for you! Keep posting the progress!

Hello Tina, I can't thank you enough for diligently posting the details of your recovery and treatments. Only someone living through this can describe it with such complexity and understand the difference between skin/nerve sensations and deep tissue scaring, tightness, numbness and pain sensations.

Stephen my husband does his best to share the tightness and pain around his neck and jaw from the radiation and the numbness/tingling from the surgery. His canine which is pressing against his new titanium jaw is twisting like a screw against his front teeth which is very uncomfortable.

Today is three months post radiation treatment and he is struggling to stay positive. He has been a professional painter for over forty years but his limited range of movement and grave discomfort leaves him feel defeated when he paints or attempts to do anything that could leave him feel well.

I asked him if he would be willing to try the same laser treatment you are undergoing and he said he is willing to do anything that could give him some relief and hope again. He doesn't complain but I can tell on a daily note that he is down and finding life very difficult. I am grateful he has remained so open about everything with me, it pushes me to find new ways to help him. Today he will join me at the gym for the first time even though is very tired which is good.

Tina, could you ask your laser specialist if he knows where else in Canada this type of treatment is given? I wouldn't want to show up at a laser facility that mainly or only focuses on esthetics. How did you discover this cutting edge service and how well established is this type of specialized treatment? If you have a phone number that I could call in Calgary then maybe they could guide me to where to go in New Brunswick.

As you can see I am hopeful and will send my husband anywhere if need be to get the treatment he needs, thank you for giving us a way to move forward, Sophie

Hello Tina,
Any news on your progress?

My husband's neck/chin fibrosis is feeling tighter though the doctors say they are impressed with his overall results. He is getting his fist CT scan just over a year since his surgery. I only see him scheduled for a chest CT, is it normal that his neck is not being scanned?

I will update everyone once we get the results in late December.

All the best and thanks to everyone, Sophie

I almost forgot, my email address is on my profile so you can send me the information of the specialist doctors who could guide me here in New Brunswick. Or send me a private message (PM).


Thank you again for all the updates.