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#101406 08-12-2009 10:59 PM
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I have now went through my 2nd sergery. I had a scar running from left ear to half way through neck. now scar is ear to ear. I healed up after the 1st surgery rather nicely especially on sides of neck. Not sure why front of neck didn't as nicely. I did not have radiation but I will this time. Any tips or hints as to getting the scars to heal nicely. I have heard that radiation may prevent some healing.

Thanks as always!


*Shaylynn*
11.25.08 SCC of tongue diagnosed @ age 23 T2N2cM0
12.20.2008 Partial glossectomy & left neck dissection. Clear margins.
6.24.09-Pet Scans show 2 areas of concern
8.5.09-Recurrence-Perotid Gland and swollen node removal
9.29.09 Carboplatin & Taxol x8 Tomo x39
11.19.09 WILL COMPLETE TREATMENTS!



MrsGrant #101419 08-13-2009 07:03 AM
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Hey Shay-

I have the dreaded scar from ear to ear and my edema has pretty much disappeared over the past couple of months and you can barely tell. Sure, the scar is there, and I know it's there, but it's nothing like it used to be, and I had radiation. I used Aquaphor daily 50 million times a day from day 1 of radiation. Just make sure you wipe it off clean before you go in for treatments and then put it back on right after. If the burns get too bad, there's prescription creams they can give you as well, but I found that the Aquaphor worked just fine. It's the same stuff you use on a tattoo (
or at least that's what my husband has always used) after you get one of those and it's found in the lotion aisle, so go buy a big tub and slather it on!

As for right now while you still have stitches/staples in, I used the Bactriban that the hospital gave me - it's just antibiotic ointment. But as for most scars, they just take time to fade. My ENT always told me that my scars would be more noticeable because I'm younger and have more elasticity in my skin, but mine seem to have not really followed with that. I'll post some recent pictures on the blog soon so you can see them.


Stephanie, 23, SCC on the right side of my tongue, surgery on 5-19-08, over half my tongue removed, free flap constructed from my forearm, bilateral neck dissection, one positive node. Radiation (32) and chemo (carboplatin) started on 6-16-08. Recurrence 4/09 in lungs.

**** Stephanie passed away 12.15.09.... RIP our dear friend****


MrsGrant #101420 08-13-2009 07:05 AM
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Hi,

We were told vitamin E, daily, although T didn't do it...battle wounds, I presume. I tried Mederma on my BCC Moh's surgery on my face and I had an allergic reaction to it, but you can try it. Good luck!


Donna

Caregiver to Hubby,Stage IVb, SCC to left tonsil, Mets to nodes, Tonsillectomy, Cisplatin,Taxotere,5FU x 3, IMRT 33 Rads + Carbo x 6, RND 03/09--Dx NHLymphoma 04/09, CT of chest, stom, pel--all clear, 05/09 Pet--all clear, 08/09 Pet--all clear
MrsGrant #101421 08-13-2009 07:11 AM
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Shaylynn, have you tried Vit E? It hasn't been that long since your surgery so you might need to give it a little more time to heal. How are you feeling? Keep us posted.
Nancy


caregiver to spouse, 55 yrs, dx 9/09 SCC BOT, T2N0,nonsmoker, nondrinker, HPV 16+ ,Lt hemiglossectomy, lt modified radical neck dissection, lt tonsillectomy,PEG 11/08 removed 2/09, 30IMRT, CT neg 4/09, neg CT 10/09
Donna MFS #101422 08-13-2009 07:11 AM
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Oh yeah, use the Mederma when you are all healed up! I have the kind with SPF in it. I didn't use it as much as you were supposed to though and I mostly used it on my wrist when I did but I think it helped! And wearing sunscreen or whatever (I was told SPF 50 or higher so I have Neutrogena SPF 70 and 50, in the radiated areas) will help keep your scars from getting too dark if you spend a lot of time outside.


Stephanie, 23, SCC on the right side of my tongue, surgery on 5-19-08, over half my tongue removed, free flap constructed from my forearm, bilateral neck dissection, one positive node. Radiation (32) and chemo (carboplatin) started on 6-16-08. Recurrence 4/09 in lungs.

**** Stephanie passed away 12.15.09.... RIP our dear friend****


sobradley #101423 08-13-2009 07:24 AM
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I also used Aquaphor during and after treatment, and a few weeks after I finished radiation, I started using mederma. It took 9-12 months to fade to the point it is at now (currently 20 months post radiation).


08/24/07 Dx at age 44 never smoker, occasional drink
T1N0M0 G2
09/06/07 partial glossectomy(rt),neck disection (rt) 32 nodes clear
12/05/07 35 RTx w/boost, 63 GY, finished
12/28/09 PET/CT all clear!!
12/19/11 check-up, all clear - 4 years cancer-free now !!
KimK #101433 08-13-2009 09:54 AM
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As long as the wound is closed, I would ask for a script for Biafine. This is a deep wound dressing and is also used to prevent and heal radiation burn so you will be 'killing two birds with one stone'. It is far better than Aquaphor which did nothing for me. Remember you can have nothing on your neck when you go to radiation. Put it one after you are done.

Take care,
Eileen


----------------------
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
Eileen #101439 08-13-2009 12:19 PM
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Im going to see my plastic surgeon now and will ask this question.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
ChristineB #101486 08-14-2009 03:38 AM
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The plastic surgeon told me yesterday for wounds to help with scarring there are 2 things to use. First an antibiotic oitment to prevent infections. Then Mederma for the scarring.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile
ChristineB #101503 08-14-2009 10:45 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 72
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The staples are coming out today (yay!) I will also be asking my DR about this. I was pretty curious what products people had tried and how they liked them and what effect radiation had on the scars and products. Thanks for all the great info!


*Shaylynn*
11.25.08 SCC of tongue diagnosed @ age 23 T2N2cM0
12.20.2008 Partial glossectomy & left neck dissection. Clear margins.
6.24.09-Pet Scans show 2 areas of concern
8.5.09-Recurrence-Perotid Gland and swollen node removal
9.29.09 Carboplatin & Taxol x8 Tomo x39
11.19.09 WILL COMPLETE TREATMENTS!



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