Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | I did the whole thing backwards, having my radiation two years before the new tumor started growing -- The surgery on top of the radiation has left me with very thick scar tissue under the skin of my neck (Plus the visible large "W" scar that no doubt Doctor Haakenslash and the Cutthroats made in honor of UDub!) -- Lymphedema physical therapy is helping that.
I considered sword swallowing, because my gag reflex is almost gone, but the scarring keeps me from tilting my head back far enough to get a straight line from BOT to stomach -- Maybe I can find a curved sword after I have some throat dilation -- Or maybe I'll just stick to plastic flies...
I forgot to mention the food -- I can eat stuf that is not crunchy or spicy -- I have to cut it into little pieces and chew it well, which is not always easy because of my recycled tongue's limitations -- I have apple pie with some milk (or eggnog), but don't eat the dry edge crust, for example -- Nothing like rice or couscous because the smaller, non-clumping particles are more likely to be aspirated.
Last edited by Pete D; 12-09-2008 01:23 PM.
Age 67 1/2 Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05 Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08 Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08 Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06 Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08) Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08) On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
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