Hi. I am new to the forum. I was diagnosed with cancer of the epiglottis (the upper part of the larynx), stage 2, in August 2010. I began treatment at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA, at the end of September because it was a center of excellence. While there, I completed 35 radiation treatments and five low dose chemo treatments (because of the size of one lymph node they were worried about.)

I live in upstate NY, and there are no support groups for throat cancer. I am hoping to communicate with people who are going through or have gone through what I am going through.

My biggest concern right now is eating. I have a stomach tube, but have forced myself to eat something every day, and I supplement it with cans of nutrient rich foods through the tube. The biggest hurdle I have is that almost all food burns going down my throat. I cant eat chocolate or sweets, or anything with sauces--it either burns, or gets stuck in my mouth because of the lack of saliva. I also have a hard time eating more than 3 or 4 bites of anything, because I feel stuffed (like I just finished a thanksgiving dinner). I also have coughing fits at least once in a 24 hour period (and have had as many as four) where I hack until I cough up blood. My body doesn't seem happy until I cough up blood. My drs. say this is a normal part of the healing process, and to take OTC Tussin and the oxycodone medication they prescibed for pain, every four to six hours, which I do. But I know the raw throat is contributing to the burning when I swallow. I really need to go back to work in March, but I can't while I am still on pain meds, and I really want to get the stomach tube out. Any suggestions? Is anyone going through something similiar, or has been through it? I appreciate all feedback, and thanks! --Gail