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| | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 29 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 29 | It's been 32 years since I went through radiation, surgery, etc. About 17 yrs ago is when radiation came to collect it's first long term payment in many forms. One of these side effects was having throat spasms that literally locks up the throat and I can't breathe. It's an EXTREMELY scary situation when that happens and the clock starts. Your adrenaline glad kicks in overdrive because the clock starts before you know you're going to die. Oddly enough, I've learned over time that if I can force myself to relax, it will let enough air in my lungs to finally come out of the spasm. The only time that relaxing doesn't work is when food can sometimes trigger the spasm and I have to ram my finger down my throat to dislodge the food AND relax at the same time......NOT an easy task. Have any of you experienced this with your throat?
32 Year Oral Cancer Survivor.CURED!!Right neck dissection.5000 rads plus radium needle implants in the tongue.Also had alternative treatment in Germany from Dr. Hans Neiper in 1982.The combination of ALL the treatments cured me.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Kiwi Down Under" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,024 | Wow. A 32 year survivor. Boy is that what I want to hear. Congratulations.
Sorry I can't help you at all with the spasm problem, but there may be some one on here who can assist.
Tammy
Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | Congrats on 32 years of survivorship. That IS impressive. Fortunately I have not - yet anyway - had the throat spasms. That sounds very scary, but you are obviously handling it well. It would be great to hear what your other experiences with long term radiation damage were - you said it started at 17 years out, and it would be helpful to know of your experiences. Thanks so much for posting.
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 29 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | | OP Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 29 | Many thanks for your kind comments. I'm blessed to have made it 32 yrs. My throat spasm medical term in laryngospasm. I just found that out today. Now I've got to find out EVERY POSSIBLE WAY to deal with it. I will report back if I find any useful treatment for it.
32 Year Oral Cancer Survivor.CURED!!Right neck dissection.5000 rads plus radium needle implants in the tongue.Also had alternative treatment in Germany from Dr. Hans Neiper in 1982.The combination of ALL the treatments cured me.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | Stress can trigger my asthma - and I can usually control an attack by relaxing. Is there any correlation between your laryngospasm and dehydration? I usually have more issues in the summer, although that could be allergens in the air.
The only other thing that I would wonder about are environmental triggers - maybe a mild food allergy, or perfume? You have probably though of all of this but better to be repetitious than to miss something useful.
May I add my congratulations on your 32 years of survivorship - gives me hope of reaching the gold or even platinum wedding anniversary with my husband!
Maria
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
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