Hello Everyone, I was diagnosed back in February 2013 with supraglottic Larynx Cancer. I am currently having radiation 5 days a week and chemo once a week. I think I have about 15 more radiation treatments and 2 chemo treatments left to do. So far I have tolerated treatment very well. I feel so good after chemo, my voice is almost clear and I feel energized. My oncologist's are quite surprised at how well I am tolerating treatment. Radiation makes me lose my voice but so far I have no sores in my mouth or throat although I do have Silent Aspiration and am only to take food and water through the Peg tube that was installed prior to treatment. I am starting to get the ropey icky stuff in my throat and just noticed that my gag reflex is hypersensitive. I am looking forward to completing treatment but not sure what to expect after that. I look forward to getting to know all of you. Suziee

Welcome to OCF! You will find lots of info and support here on the forum. So sorry you are beginning to deal with the side effects of treatments.

A waterpik on low will help to break up the thick mucous. Some members have used a portable suction machine at home. you would need a prescription from your doc for that. Rinsing several times per day with a mixture of 16 oz warm water, 2 tsp sat and 2 tsp baking soda also can help.

You must be doing very well with nutrition (calories) and hydration to be feeling so good. Keep that up for at least the first year after finishing treatments to help you recover easier. Unfortunately things do get progressively worse as the treatments continue. It can be difficult to get thru this but you are off to a great start!

Hang in there and keep up the good work!

Thank Christine. I hate to sound stupid but with the water pik do you point it towards the back of the throat or?
I am fortunate so far, but keep waiting for the next shoe to drop. I know that it will get worse. I have my blood drawn before each chemo and all the numbers are great. Kidneys, liver, hydration etc. I just started the tube feeding about 11 days ago and it makes it easier to stay hydrated but the tube feeding I am not doing so well with. It's pretty depressing not to be able to eat.
I have been reading the forum and I have to say it is a little depressing how many people have the cancer come back and a 5 year survival rate isn't all that pleasant to think about either. It makes it sound like a shelf life. So far I have been able to keep a sense of humor and smile on my face, not sure how much longer that will last as treatment moves on.

Thanks for the welcoming. Suziee

Hi Suzie and welcome. I just passed the 5 year mark myself and life is fairly "normal". What happens next for you is different for everyone. I couldn't tolerate solid food for 18 mopnths, for others it's a few weeks. If you keep going as you are, staying hydrated and taki8ng good care of yourself, you will hopefully recover more quickly. Wishing you the best outcome.

Hi there... The water pik is a great tool. The deluxe version has several attachments - the pointy ones for along the gum line and the tongue scraper - it looks like a small spoon - for me that was the best I used it on the lowest setting, with Luke warm water, combined with either the salt water mixture they recommend at the cancer center or a tiny bit of non alcoholic mouthwash for freshness, I used to run it all around my mouth cleans out the funk big time.

Welcome - btw - and sorry you have to be here - usually the first three or four weeks are the easiest, the last 2-4 are the worst. Most people's rads regiment is the same as yours - 6-7 weeks, but rads is cumulative and keeps working for 2 weeks after you have finished treatment - these weeks are the hardest. I was blessed in that I didn't suffer too badly except for the first week following treatment but I am not the norm, most people have a really tough time of it. Regardless we are all here for your and hoping you come through it all with flying colors... Best of luck - this place is a great resource

I used to point the waterpik towards the gunky stuff and let the water flow help to get that out of my mouth. Thats how I used it. Hope you find success with it too.

Welcome Suzie, it's encouraging to hear you are doing so well. My husband had great difficulty with swallowing even tiny bits of water for a while so the doctor encouraged him to do dry swallowing to keep the muscles working. Hang in there, you are halfway there.

Welcome, Suzie! You might well be one of the lucky ones like me. I had 8 weeks of radiation and had no problems with it whatsoever. My case is definitely one of the ones on the fringe though; but I sincerely hope yours is too!