My husband had 2/3 of his tounge removed, radical neck in Feb. He had 30 radiation tratments six weeks after surgery. Those treatments ended at the end of April. Where they cut his jaw for sugery never healed. He also got an infection in there which has been treated. He has had another surgery to wire the jaw on June 26th. I dont think it is working. He also has a PEG, and has been on Dilaudid (sp) for months.

This last week his throat became really sore and dry. He forgot to take salagen for two days. I dont know if this had something to do with it or not. His stomach is very upset, make like a girggling noise. He is also falling asleep while sitting up. He went to the ENT on Fri, he put the camera down, but saw nothing. He is to have a CAT scan in about a month (six months) so the doc said lets do it next week instead.

I know everyone is different but,

I was wondering if...

1. Has anyone had a dry sore thorat come up this long after radiation?

2. If anyone has had these kind of jaw problems?

3. If anyone has had problems with the peg after long time use?

4. If anyone has been on Dilaudid for 4 or 5 months? If so any side affects.

Sorry so long,
Thanks,
Cheryl

Cheryl,

I can only answer the throat part of your question from my experience., I am a year & half out from radiation and at times I still ger the dry sore throst. Especially if I get busy and don't drink water like I should.

I'm sure someone will be along that can answer your other questions.

Dinah

I`ll have my peg tube for 2 years in August, no problems. My weight was 118 after first surgery, now I`m up to 180.....I get it changed every 3 months and that`s it........Packer

I am not exactly sure what you mean by saying the jaw never healed, is it still an open wound ? In my case, I think the wound has been healed but I had and still have infection around the site where the jaw bone was cut. A metal plate was placed during the surgery to connect the jaw bone. The doctor is suspecting that I do not tolerate this metal plate so is considering to remove it. Although there are some risk involed but I think I will do that anyway. Because this repeated infections are terrible.

Packer 66,

My husband has never had his peg changed and it is five months old. His is a tube that he pours his drink in himself. Is this what you have?

WZ,

His jaw had a non union. Bone never healed back together. He also had a bar from first surgery but, when they wired his jaw together they took the bar out.

Thanks,
Cheryl