#4287 11-22-2004 07:33 AM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Well...
Friday I had surgery to separate the AC joint and remove part of the bone on both sides (shoulder and collarbone). They informed me they were going to use a steel airway and it could present some problems to people with irradiated necks/throats. I had the most horrible sore throat Friday to today and the most interesting thing has happened. I can now swallow without constrictions of any kind. My throat was raw and bloody from the procedure and everything I tried to swallow went up my nose but now it is as if I have no issues with swallowing. I am amazed each day at the twists and turns in life.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0 Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03 Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08. Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11 Cervical Myelitis 09/12 Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12 Dysautonomia 11/12 Hospice care 09/12-01/13. COPD 01/14 Intermittent CHF 6/15 Feeding tube NPO 03/16 VFI 12/2016 ORN 12/2017 Cardiac Event 06/2018 Bilateral VFI 01/2021 Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022 Bilateral VFI 05/2022 Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | |
#4288 11-22-2004 08:32 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 382 Likes: 3 | Ed- Sorry you had to endure yet another surgery, ... that is a hard way to stretch your throat! But at least the outcome is a plus!! My heart and prayers go out to you and your wife for all you have endured this year. May 2005 be a peaceful and painless year for you! Love, Kris
SCC Stage IV left tonsil neck disection 3/02 radiation finished 6/02 chemo finished 9/02 Stage 2A left breast cancer 3/09, chemo and radiation, finished treatment 2/7/10 -Stage 2 right beast cancer 10/14 chemo and radiation Every day is still a gift :-)
| | |
#4289 11-22-2004 08:47 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | Hell of a way to start swallowing again Ed!!! Start eating like a pig if I was you. Have a nice Thanksgiving Ed & Susan!!!
Danny Boy
Daniel Bogan DX 7/16/03 Right tonsil,SCC T4NOMO. right side neck disection, IMRT Radiation x 33.
Recurrance in June 05 in right tonsil area. Now receiving palliative chemo (Erbitux) starting 3/9/06
Our good friend and loved member of the forum has passed away RIP Dannyboy 7-16-2006
| | |
#4290 11-22-2004 01:06 PM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 146 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 146 | Gee, Ed, I didn't know that ALL I had to do to swallow with ease was to have more surgery! (LOL!) Glad to hear all went well and hope that you can truly "pig out" (or is it "turkey out") this Thanksgiving! I hope the healing process is uneventful and as pain free as possible.
Take care!
Hugs, Nancy
Stage IV oral cancer (tongue), T3N2, total glossectomy with right and left modified neck dissection 7/03, rad /chemo ended 11/03
| | |
#4291 11-22-2004 02:00 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 Platinum Member (300+ posts) | Platinum Member (300+ posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 458 | Ed, Also glad to hear you came throught the surgery ok. Maybe getting two birds with one stone, not only more mobile shoulder, but better swallowing. As far as the pig out/turkey out, would you be considered a traitor in your business if you did turkey instead of ham? Bob
SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.
| | |
#4292 11-23-2004 07:05 AM | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | Hi Ed, I was just going to email Susan to find out how you were doing. I was thinking of you on Friday and wondering how the surgery went. Glad you got a nice side effect from the surgery. Enjoy that turkey. Sounds like you are now home. Hope the shoulder is not too painful. When do they start you on PT?
Have a grest Thanksgiving and eat everything in sight.
Take care, Eileen
---------------------- Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | |
#4293 11-24-2004 01:17 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 482 | Ed, glad to hear it went well and the side effect was such a positive thing. Hope you can eat all that you want tomorrow, though my family hates turkey so we always prepare 10 pounds of ribs on the BBQ. Always have all of the side dishes, stuffing, yams, potatoes/gravy, cranberry sauce, etc. So whatever you're having, hope its good.
Regards, Kirk Georgia Stage IV, T1N2aM0, right tonsil primary, Tonsilectomy 11/03, 35 rad/3cisplatin chemo, right neck dissection 1/04 - 5/04.
| | |
#4294 11-24-2004 02:59 PM | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 139 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 139 | Congratulations, Ed and Happy Thanksgiving to you and Susan. Ever the silver lining, yes? Life is amazing! Am so happy for you and hope that you are fairly comfortable. Shoulder surgery is no "walk in the park" but keep up the exercise and you will do well. God bless and Love Judy U
Judy U Stage I SCC floor of mouth, left radical neck dissection 8/03
| | |
#4295 11-28-2004 12:33 PM | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | OP Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Sorry for laying low the past few days but I just wanted to thank everyone for your kind words and thoughts. I probably overdid the turkey day thing, trying to hop around the kitchen with one hand. All in all I think it turned out pretty good and it was so nice to just sit around with the family. (And Bob, do not tell anyone I baled out on the pig thing.) I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0 Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03 Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08. Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11 Cervical Myelitis 09/12 Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12 Dysautonomia 11/12 Hospice care 09/12-01/13. COPD 01/14 Intermittent CHF 6/15 Feeding tube NPO 03/16 VFI 12/2016 ORN 12/2017 Cardiac Event 06/2018 Bilateral VFI 01/2021 Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022 Bilateral VFI 05/2022 Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
| | |
Forums23 Topics18,243 Posts197,126 Members13,313 | Most Online1,788 Jan 23rd, 2025 | | | |