| | Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 42 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 42 | I apologize if this is a repeat question, but I didn't see an answer using the search:
I have a question concerning the swelling and numbness from the neck dissection. I had my surgery 2 months ago and am still experiencing these symptoms. I was told by my doctor to massage the area and it would go away, from what he said I expected it to go away a long time ago. Is this normal and is there anything else I can do?
Thanks so much!
Female, Age 38, healthy non-smoker, rarely drank, regularly workout
May 2014 noticed irritation on tongue
6/18 saw doctor
6/25 saw ENT specialist got biopsy
6/30 Dx HPV P16+ ve SCC tongue cancer
7/9 CT scans, no visible spread
8/20 partial glossectomy with radial forearm flap, neck dissection 26 nodes sampled - results T2 N0 with mild dysplasia
4/2015 start to have ear pain
5/2015 recurrence
6/4/2015 surgery 29 nodes samples pN 2c
7/13/2015 7 wks of Chemo & Radiation start
| | | | | 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 | Unfortunately yes this is very normal! Recovery from this type fo surgery can take many months. Swelling can take a long time to completely go away. Yes, massaging the area will help. Also you can seek out a physical therapist to help you even more with the recovery. Many OC patients who have NDs have issues with lifting the arm on that side. PT really will make a big difference and the earlier you start the 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: 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 | I'm going to ditto Christine and add a bit more - The swelling is a build up of lymph fluid because they have removed a major pathway for lymph drainage. It does get better in time. Massage does help, but I would hold off on that until you are "scanned and cancer free" I would not massage an area and push the fluid into circulation if there is any chance the cancer is still there.
That said numbness may be permanent or at least very long term - they cut nerves and muscles. The nerves take a very long time to heal - if ever d muscles for me are always a bit tight on my neck and I'm three years out (more actually) 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: Jul 2014 Posts: 42 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2014 Posts: 42 | Thank you so much for your replies. This puts me at ease that I am following the doctor's orders properly and am healing just fine. The reaction of my doctor at my 2 week check-up made me feel like the swelling should have gone away a long time ago.
My doctor had expected me to have trouble with lifting my right arm, but luckily he was able to avoid the nerve enough to where it didn't effect my movement. During recovery I lost a lot of muscle mass and my job is quite physical - so I have started to do my physical training to re-build some of my smaller muscles to prevent injury when I am completely back full-time.
Female, Age 38, healthy non-smoker, rarely drank, regularly workout
May 2014 noticed irritation on tongue
6/18 saw doctor
6/25 saw ENT specialist got biopsy
6/30 Dx HPV P16+ ve SCC tongue cancer
7/9 CT scans, no visible spread
8/20 partial glossectomy with radial forearm flap, neck dissection 26 nodes sampled - results T2 N0 with mild dysplasia
4/2015 start to have ear pain
5/2015 recurrence
6/4/2015 surgery 29 nodes samples pN 2c
7/13/2015 7 wks of Chemo & Radiation start
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2014 Posts: 5 Member | | Member
Joined: Nov 2014 Posts: 5 | I had the same issue, left side of my face had a droop that looked like I had a stroke. It took about two years for the nerves to heal and I have about 80% of my smile back. I found that using Ben Gay and doing my mouth smile stretches helped. It takes time and will never be like it was but it will be close. Bless on you recovery | | |
| Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,925 Members13,103 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
