| Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 Member | OP Member Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 | My dear friend has been diagnosed with stage 3 borderline 4 tonsil cancer. I have been doing lots of research and asking doctors on advice on what he will be going through. My doctor suggested to look into an oral suction machine because he may need one later in his radiation treatment. My friend called the the cancer center he is going to asking what kind and to get more info. I guess a staff member spoke to him, who said absolutely not. She said his he mouth will be very sensitive and he can poke a hole in his cheek. All the things i have read I never came across this. Has anyone else heard or found out complications with this device?
Last edited by kathyf; 10-08-2009 07:40 PM.
| | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OCF Founder Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 4,912 Likes: 52 | The suction can be quite strong especially damaging to tissues that are damaged, friable, and paper thin from the treatments. Any suction device must have some means for controlling the amount of suction at the tip so it can be turned down low. I have even see these for sale on eBay, besides the local medical supply stores.
We have had posters here use them successfully, but doctors as a rule do not like them as they can sometimes, when used on delicate tissues by someone who is doing much of the job by feel, not visually, cause significant harm.
Brian, stage 4 oral cancer survivor. OCF Founder and Director. The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. | | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 Member | OP Member Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 | Thanks for your respose Brian but I am still confused should it be used if needed. Have you heard of any bad expiernces? or more positive ones? Kathy | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Kathy,
Just like about every side effect of this Tx, everyone can react differently. I for one, had what I considered really bad thick mucous probably for a couple of weeks but I never needed/got a suction machine. Others here felt they needed one and I don't ever remember anyone complaining about using it.
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.
| | | | Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 642 | I had a suction machine, prescribed by my Dr. and provided by the same medical supply company that used to deliver feeding tubes and formula, etc. I used it with great success. It is not a lot different from what you use in the dentist's chair. At the time when I was discharging large amounts of mucous it was a real help and more comfortable to use than constantly spitting into and wiping my mouth with tissue. I kept it by my easy chair during the day and by my bedside at night and it really did the job, with no negatives.
Good luck, Danny G.
Stage IV Base of Tongue SCC Diagnosed July 1, 2002, chemo and radiation treatments completed beginning of Sept/02.
| | | | Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | I made it through my first cancer TX without a suction machine, but after the recurrence & surgery, the ICU had a suction machine available. I wish my ICU nurses had shared the concerns that Brian mentioned since I did not want to suck out my stitches or disturb the flap but when I asked the nurses to do it, they refused & just said I had to learn to do it myself so I asked my wife to do it when she visited that day so I could learn where to safely put it. since I could not swallow, I would have drowned in saliva without the suction and I used a home machine up until last month. It was a godsend for the really thick mucous. My ENT surgeon ordered it for me along with the feeding bags and it was delivered to my door. There was an initial fee but the rental charge was only $6 a month after insurance. I had ZERO bad experiences with it (unless you count the icky chore of washing & cleaning the suction tubes with its slimy mucous residue) 65 yr Old Frack Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+ 2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG 2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery 25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Apaghia /G button 2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa 40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 Member | OP Member Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 4 | Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, I will pass it on to my friend. Kathy | | |
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