So I have seen many posts about the lovely gifts that radiation bestows upon all of you. My husband has really done great with his treatments and recovery. However he did wake up with a somewhat swollen face on the side where the SCC was. It is not too bad at this point but definitely visible. He is going to a clinic this week to find out about how to massage his face and get the lymph moving to healthy nodes. Has anyone had this and how long will it last? Will it get worse? He is sleeping more elevated as I read that will help. Is that true?

It makes him sad that he feels a little better each day, eating more and getting some energy back but then something will set him back. He was sad for the last few days about this.

Any thoughts from the wise ones?

EllenB

My husband has a slight swelling on the side of his face where his surgery occurred..he finished his treatments last Thursday, I wonder if the swelling is lymphedema? I will have him get it checked.

Hi - yes I've had it still do 6 mos out tomorrow!! I read up on lymphatic massage prior to going to see a masseuse - and it really dies help. I still have some swelling in the morning but it often goes away quickly. I had it once a week for months and did it myself 2-3 yikes daily. I was just worried in the beginning that if there was anything left in the lymph nodes it might increase th spread but they've done studies that show there's no increased risk. Still ask your dr. Though. It's great because it helps prevent fibrosis if you do it during the first year post treatment - or so they say! Good luck!

I'm not nearly as wise as others on this site... but I did work with a lymphedema specialist, starting in June, about two months after treatment. The massages she taught have been really effective. The swelling in my neck has come down considerably. My neck and jaw are still sore but that seems to be from radiation, but not lymphedema. I hope your husband finds a knowledgeable specialist. -Michelle

Thanks to all of you. There is a clinic at the hospital where he got his treatment and they have specialists there who will help him with massage. We hope to get an appointment next week.

It seems to have gone down when he sleeps in an elevated position.

We have an appointment at the clinic for next Wednesday to learn about massage to help the lymph circulate and find new pathways to nodes that are functioning.
Thankfully this might help the lymphedema.
Hope you are all well.

It should help Ellen! that's what lymph specialist told me as well, it helps the fluid form new pathways! As it's all about gravity so yes sleeping up would help. good luck! Hugs!

My hubby also had a problem with swelling. He went to a PT who was a specialist in lymphedema massage. That did help.

One thing to look for though is post radiation infection which many times manifests itself with prominent swelling, redness with tight shiny skin. A week after completing rads, my husband's face blew up to such grotesque proportions that it reminded me of the movie with Cher back in the 80s. I can't remember the name, true story about the young man whose face and skull grew out of control.

Anyway, post rad infection is not uncommon. Clark was hospitalized, given IV steriods and antibiotics, and finally surgery. It is serious. When in doubt, check it out.

Anita

Emmett had swelling since his surgery last Oct.7th until a month ago when we finally ordered the full face mask the dr. gave us a script for. He had almost daily therapy while getting radiation and his face was very distorted for many months. After getting home he started OT massage twice weekly and while it did help he was still swollen. He slept in a recliner for 4 months with no change. Within days of getting the mask the swelling disappeared. Only negative is he has to sleep on an incline pillow and I feel like I am sleeping with a bank robber!! It still startles me sometimes but his face is back to normal. Worth it - we were told the mask would cost us $500.00 bucks but our Ins ended up paying for most. Hope this may help.

Thanks all. I will keep watching for advice. We will see what they say at the clinic on Wednesday. I hope that it is not an infection but it seems to come and go. He looks a little different so I think that it is still there. His face is not shiny but does get red sometimes. Could it still be an infection two months after rads?

He also said that his throat still hurts quite a bit. I think it is from eating more foods and talking more. What say you, oh wise ones?

EllenB