| Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 598 | Echoing what others have said. I lost 2 salivary glands removed during bilateral neck dissection (they were not malignant), and have the normal sequelae from radiation, etc. I have some saliva back, but not a ton. I can eat pretty darn well most of the time, but have to watch my caffeine intake, as I note that too much coffee or soda with caffeine will dry me up in a hearbeat.
Biotene products are great, and just drink lots and lots of water. It does help. Jeff SCC Right BOT Dx 3/28/2007 T2N2a M0G1,Stage IVa Bilateral Neck Dissection 4/11/2007 39 x IMRT, 8 x Cisplatin Ended 7/11/07 Complete response to treatment so far!!
| | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | You didn't mention in your signature line what type of radiation you had. If it was IMRT it can take at least 18 months for the salivary glands, not directly in the radiation field, to fully recover.
If you had XRT they may never recover.
I started to get my sense of taste back in about 2 months post Tx. For all taste sensations (including sweets and chocolate which were the last) about a year.
We all respond differently to treatment.
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)
| | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 Senior Member (100+ posts) | OP Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 148 | I am really a no pay attention person I have no idea what kind of radiation I took. I just laid there with that horrible mask on and they would shoot. It lasted about three to four minutes each time. I just told that Doc we he said I have cancer to fix me. I knew I had it about two years before I got worried about it. But my regular GP Doc was more of an idiot then myself because he wanted to treat me for gingivitus or herpies. I refused his treatments because I knew. Now one thing that My Rad Doc said was that the ENT removed one saliva gland in the biopsy under my tounge so I figure I won't get it back (saliva) Bottles of water stay by me and if not water then tea or coffee.
49 years young 9/2007 Squamous Cell Carcinoma 33 rad treatments. One year later, 9/17/2008 50 years old through the Grace of God. last check up all clear. Living life as it comes to me.
| | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 3,552 | You need to find out what type of radiation you had before we can help you further is that regard. There are multiple salivary glands so losing one is not a majorly big deal. I lost the right paratid (it was directly in the radiation field) and have very good salivary function today. I still often carry a water bottle (but I did before I had cancer). If you had IMRT you just have to be patient. It takes a long time for those glands to recover.
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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