#5560 06-19-2005 10:15 PM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 18 Member | OP Member Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 18 | im 2 and a half years out of treatment and my spit glands seem to be trying to work again, there is actually days i can spit, i know that sounds groce but to me im excited about it, has any one else experienced this going from a mouth so dry u could pull dust balls out to actually being able to spit, there is times it is thick but they seem to be trying to come back, every thing i have read and have been told once you loose them there gone, is this just a temp. thing or can they come back? | | |
#5561 06-20-2005 03:46 AM | Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 108 Gold Member (100+ posts) | Gold Member (100+ posts) Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 108 | It's one year since I began my rads and for the most part I am still dry...but not as bone dry as it was six months ago. On a recent trip to the dentist, she said she could actually see a lttle saliva pooling in the bottom of my mouth (very little!) but I'll take what I can get. If at 2 1/2 years there is continuing progress I am delighted to hear it. I am also delighted to hear of a 2 1/2 year survival. I'd say you're hitting on all eight cylinders Coop..congratulations. Fran B
SCC Base of tongue diag. April 04 Stage IV, mets to rt. neck multiple nodes 35 rads+8 boosts First recurrence Jan05. Rt.rad neck dissection Feb02/05. Recurred with bone mets in neck July 05. Committed to survival with dignity.
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#5562 06-20-2005 03:52 AM | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,140 Likes: 1 | Nothing gross about it. Coop. Going in, I told the rad people to do their best, and all I wanted when it was finished was to be able to spit. Strangely, the side which received the most rad, where they told me I would lose the salivary glads, is now back on line. I am 3-1/2 years out and the saliva function just keeps increasing to where I must be 95% of normal. Hang in there! | | |
#5563 06-20-2005 10:47 AM | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,163 | I had IMRT radiation and i lost about half of my saliva function. I am two years out from surgery on July 31st. I can't spit due to the surgical procedure. Congratulations on being two & 1/2 years out. Sounds like you are doing well.
Hope it continues to improve for you.
Best Wishes, 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
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#5564 06-20-2005 01:59 PM | Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: May 2003 Posts: 928 | Just you spit away Coop...lol thats great , congratulations. Marica
Caregiver to husband Pete, Dx 4/03 SCC Base of Tongue Stage IV. Chemo /Rad no surgery. Treatment finished 8/03. Doing great!
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#5565 06-20-2005 06:25 PM | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 Gold Member (200+ posts) | Gold Member (200+ posts) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 261 | We need to have a spitting contest!! I've found in the last few weeks if I focus a little in the morning before I get out of bed & run for a drink of water that spit will start to flow sometimes. I've actually woke up a couple different times & was excited that I had drooled a little bit. Maybe I'm dreaming of food or something! A round of spit for all who need it, on me!!! Ah, the simple things! Erik
dx 2/11/04 scca bot T3 IU 2B MO poorly differentiated, margins ok, 3/16 modest, jaw split, over half of tongue removed, free flap from left forearm - finished chemo & rad treatment 5/20/04
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#5566 06-20-2005 11:11 PM | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | Like Joanna, my salivary function has slowly improved over time. It can take 18 months or longer. Sometimes I even forget my water bottle now.
Gary Allsebrook *********************************** Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2 Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy) ________________________________________________________ "You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)
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#5567 06-21-2005 01:38 AM | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 837 | Like some of the others here, I saw some improvement within a year or two after my treatment ended. What surprises me is that even now -- after 16 years -- I'm STILL noticing incremental improvements over a year or two ago.
Spit happens! :p
Cathy
Tongue SCC (T2M0N0), poorly differentiated, diagnosed 3/89, partial glossectomy and neck dissection 4/89, radiation from early June to late August 1989
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#5568 06-22-2005 08:56 PM | Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 18 Member | OP Member Joined: Oct 2003 Posts: 18 | thanks yall, i was told once there gone there gone my ent told me he had never seen anyone as dry as i was but now it does seem to be getting so much better and yes i forget my water alot but i reckon it is the panic thing when i notice it isnt with me i stop and get a bottle lol, now if i could just get on some more weight, but what the heck i eat all i want and it makes other people sick to see i can do that so i guess it has its good sides to | | |
#5569 06-23-2005 06:22 AM | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 497 "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (300+ posts) Joined: May 2005 Posts: 497 | Happiness at cha buddy. I hope they continue to improve each and every day. Bless you, Barbara~
[i]"The artist, a traveler on this earth, leaves behind imperishable traces of his being." -Fran
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