Tony, Here's a question that popped in my head while reading your question about alcoholic beverages. Are you taking any pain medication at all? Mixing drugs and alcohol isn't a good idea. But if you were a beer or wine drinker pre cancer [and not an abuser] then I would guess you could tolerate a couple a day--BUT-- if your throat already hurts, the alcohol is going to exaserbate that.
As to non prescription pain relief for your throat, you might give strong tea a try. Use it warm or cold-your preference, swish around your mouth, gargle and swallow or spit it out. Another product found over the counter is Rincinol P.R.N., It is to be "swished" and spit.
Keep trucking, Tony. Amy

Tony, Try not to freak about losing your voice. I lost mine for weeks, then it would come back, then I would lose it again. I'm 4 mos.post tx and my voice has been back for a couple mos. now. It's raspier then it was, but I can talk!! Even started to sing a little. (not well though) As for the drinking, I guess that is each persons choice. I went to a concert the other night, didn't have one drink, but still enjoyed myself. Yes, I did drink before, just a couple a week, even had a glass of wine after tx. So I'm not anti-alcohol. I know this whole ordeal is hard to deal with, seems like it would be easier to handle with some help from alcohol, but would it really change anything? Take care of yourself. Linda

Tony, I think you are so anxious to heal, but seriously, you need to just slow down and take one day at a time, after all, you have just completed tx. less than 3 weeks ago! I dont know why you are assuming that you and your life should be back to normal, but its going to take time...you just completed something that not all people could do, the wear and tear on your body with the treatments, the voice thing...I think that is pretty normal too, when you go to the docs office you need to ask them questions cause i think you will find out, that you are doing great for the short amount of time you have been done with tx. hell, i would have been elated with your progress of over coming this ordeal. Sit back, and smell the roses for awhile, all,the norm will come back soon enough. Remember, your the cat with 9 lives, live each one more slowly and enjoy it, dont let it just pass you by!!! Happy Holidays

Linda and Linroth and JAM, Again I am insired! Thanks for all the responses and advise. You are right about life and being "normal". I am faced with news good or bad and the holidays. Its just kind of building up and I don't know how to do this. I am boycotting Christmas (buying presents). This is the first time I have done this and I don't know if I can pull it off. The bills are just too much and the job future is in question. This morning my voice was completely gone. Really frustrating! But there are people dealing with much worse! Merry Christmas to all of you out there with Chemo and radiation treatments and surgery. We will all make it!

Hello everyone! Well it's finally here, the ENT checkup. I am freaking out! I don't know if I can sleep but I'm taking ambien so I think I will probably fall asleep sometime. I have been eating and yes I have had a few beers and I feel great. My voice is terrible and that is how I found out I had cancer. So I really don't know if they got it. Well they say 80-90% cure rate so I've got nothing to worry about, right? Yeah, right! Why am I always waiting for something else? Oh well, thanks for reading this out there. I will let you know what the doc says, see ya! Tony

Hello Everyone, I guess nobody read my last message but I had my 3 week checkup w/scope and he said I was cancer free! He also said my throat was raw from trying to talk. He said not to and not to be around 2nd hand smoke or anything that will agravate my throat. I also saw the pictures of my cancer , before and after. It was intense and I really enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing it. It was alot different than I thought it would be. There wasn't anything gross about it. The after pictures looked like brand new vocal chords. Now that I have been through radiation treatment, I'm sure they don't look too good! Oh well, bottom line is, I don't have cancer for Christmas! Thank you, who ever you are!

Anthony,

Congrats on another sucess story.

Anthony, What great news!! I am so happy for you. A good outcome for one is a good outcome for all of us. Now you can stop the freaking out and try to relax and enjoy yourself. Give your voice some time to heal, you have been through alot. Wishing you a great holiday.

GREAT NEWS!!! Yipee for you Tony now do yourself a favor, relax, dont worry, and now Tony, its time to smell those roses...This is the time of year, that you need to reflect on yourself, and understand how you became you and what you will do about it! (sounds deep, huh?) Remember what we are fixing to celebrate..."Christmas", and most of all, what it stands for. This dr. appt. might be the best present you ever got, so enjoy it and life too. Merry Christmas Tony!!!

Thanks everyone, Today I go to the oncologist! Then tommorrow I fly home. When I got the news it was like a 1000 lbs weight was lifted off my chest! Merry Christmas to all! Tony