 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Unfortunately, Michael the swallowing and carotid issues are both well known problems for OC survivors after having rads. Im sorry to say these things normally continue to get worse as time goes on. Ive seen quite a few OC survivors who have been 10+ years out of treatments who have swallowing issues where they need to use a feeding tube and take nothing by mouth due to aspiration when swallowing which can cause aspiration pneumonia. Some long term survivors that continue having this happen end up spending time hospitalized for aspiration pneumonia. Make sure you follow up as directed with your doc. Its definitely not easy, many of us have this as well.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
