 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | What Joanna says about opening his mouth wide so he doesn't get trismus is very true, but he must also keep swallowing to keep the throat muscles working. He should take as much liquid by mouth as he can tolerate. If that no longer works, he must continue to swallow to keep muscles moving. Lots of water helps reduce the side effects of the radiation so drink lots of it. He also need at least 2000 calories a day of nutrition so keep a record of everything that goes down and stays down. Also keep records of what comes out. Constipation is a big problem that will have to be addressed.
I wish there was a magic pill to make this easier for him. Keep his doctor apprised of everything. It's a rough road but doable.
Tare care,
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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