 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Kim,
I'm only one person so I don't know what 'normal' is. I personally had no swelling or swallowing problems or other setbacks from the surgery.
On the weight loss. Did they also do a partial thryroidectomy at the same time they removed the voice box? If so, get his TSH level checked NOW. Normal is between .4 and 5.5. I was at 32 a month after my surgery, eating everything in sight and not gaining a pound. Also took forever to get the dosage adjusted to the correct amount to get me back to my pre-radiation level of 2.5 to 2.8.
Keep us posted on how he is doing.
Eileen
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Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
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