#97717 06-19-2009 09:34 PM | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 104 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP  Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 104 | So, the thickening on J's neck must be the start of the fibrosis I've seen referred to? He's just completed 17 of 33 rad treatments and is noticing the thickening skin and some stiffness in the tissue there when turning his head (esp to the right where the majority of the rad is targeted). Does this just get worse, or can it improve after treatment?
GM, for John who has SCC Rt tonsil with 3+ nodes, Stage T1 N2b MX; surgery 04/09; Rad X 33 completed 7/14/09...f/u imaging and scopes looking good as of Feb 2011
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under" Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 404 Likes: 2 | It is probably best to check with the doc or nurse at the radiotherapy treatments if and when John can start doing some neck excercises and also some light massage to help the stiffness.
My neck has been really really stiff for many months - mainly due to the fact that when I asked what I could do to help relieve it I wasn't advised that I could be doing exercises.
It was only later after I learnt from this forum, many months after I finished radiotherapy, that I could be doing exercises and getting light massage from a physio that it slowly started to ease the tightness around my neck/throat.
Good luck
Karen
46 yrs:
Apr 07-SCC 80% entire tongue removed,T4N1M0
Neck/D,Jaw Split, Trache 2 ops,PEG 3.5yrs
30 x rad,6 x Cisplatin,
30 x HBO
Apr'08- flap Recon + ORN Mandibulectomy
(hip bone to reconstruct jaw)
Oct'08 1 Plate out-jaw
Mar'09 Debulk flap
Sep'09/Jan&Nov'10/Feb&Jun'11/Jan&Jul'12/Oct'13/April'14-More surgery
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Actually the answer to your question is BOTH. the thickening will get worse, but with stretching and massage and exercise AFTER treatment, it improves tremendously. My RO nurses called it the "wooden soldier syndrome", as we patients would come in with our necks as stiff as any toy wooden soldier and not swiveling left nor right. Hang in there
charm
65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 104 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 104 | Well, the "wooden soldier" syndrome! A pretty descriptive term. Did that affect your ability to drive?
GM, for John who has SCC Rt tonsil with 3+ nodes, Stage T1 N2b MX; surgery 04/09; Rad X 33 completed 7/14/09...f/u imaging and scopes looking good as of Feb 2011
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Mine is past the hurting or pain stage and now feels thick but numb. LOL matches my lil brain
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | GM. it never bothered my driving ability as I never stopped driving or I would have missed all of my appts.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
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