 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | mom,
I did not have a tube so I was forced to drink by mouth the whole time and I still got a tight jaw/mouth during Tx. At one point I remember everything hurt sooooo much I would write my wife notes because I couldn't/wouldn't open my mouth to speak. In addition to voluntary mouth stretching, I found "controlled" yawning helped me a lot. Controlled meaning I wouldn't let my yawn open my mouth to wide in the beginning and eventually I could have a BIG yawn and no feeling that my mouth was going to split apart. Not saying any of these suggestions will be easy but they are very important to follow.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
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