MtownCyclone -

20 years out from neck dissection. The stiffness doesn't go away, you mostly just learn how to deal with it. I stretch everyday to loosen up the muscles. PT and acupuncture help somewhat also.

After completing my treatments in 97, my ENT said then that when cancer occurs in younger patients, (I was 31), oncologists were seeing a recurrence cycle between 15 and 20 years. He stressed to me the importance of monitoring my head and neck areas for any changes. [My recurrence was diagnosed17 years later.]

Just my history.......

You are your best advocate. You know what is right and when something is wrong. When its wrong, don't delay in getting yourself in front of the right ENT.

Good Luck and I hope that your current worries are just nerves and not something more troubling


1997 SCC Tumor on tongue - Partial Gloss
1997 Met to Lymph
Radical Neck Dissection / 2nd Partial Gloss
6 weeks chemo and radiation
Brachytherapy
2011 Stroke
2014 Recurrence SCC at Base of Tongue / Hemi-gloss
Free Flap reconstr from thigh
PEG Tube
Radiation
Permanent Issues with speech and swallowing
2018 - Bleeding throat / mouth
2019 - Bleeding throat / mouth
2019 - 3rd diag Cancer SCC Base of mouth / jawbone
2019 - Aug remove portion of jaw / right pec det / free flap closure and tongue