I was so happy to discover that there was a support group for people with our somewhat unique ailments. I am a 56 year old woman, two years out from the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, stage I, of the maxillary area; several teeth; a large section in my palate;& the sinus cavity.I had surgery in New Orleans 2 weeks before Katrina, and that was followed with 5 weeks of daily radiation.Because resources were in extremely short supply due to the hurricane, I did not receive vital P.T. during the window of opportunity when the muscles would have responded. As a result, my muscles are very tight, and I can only open my mouth 13 cm., (less than 1/2 of normal).Eating is arduous and slow, and the food sometimes gets stuck mid-way down. To add insult to injury, the radiation fried my salivary glands, and come next week, I will have had 3 root canals in a 6-week period. It seems unfair that the problem is medically-based, but because it's in the mouth, medical insurance does not cover it. Financially, it's a real hardship.
This is not a doom and gloom story, however. My scans are looking great, and I just hope they stay that way. I know that I have alot to be thankful for, but sometimes I just don't feel too thankful.Those are my inner thoughts that I don't share with family or friends.Do others struggle with this?
I hope to hear from you, and thank you for allowing me to vent.