 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Lisa,
I did not have a neck dissection but after radiation I had lymphatic massage to reduce all the swelling under my chin. It was a downward motion because the damage to the lymphatic system in the neck from the radiation prevents normal drainage and the lymphatic fluid pools up. Stay away from anyone that doesn't especially practice it and knows it very well from a cancer recovery perspective. Keep in mind that while it drains the fluid, it pushes or eases the toxins in the fluid throughout the lymphatic system. Common sense would indicate to me that only request this if you are sure all scans are clean and no indication of recurrent or metastatic disease.
There are registered massage therapist websites that allow you to find someone that you can ask how many cancer survivors they have worked on. I hope this answers your questions.
Ed
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
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