Its been almost two months since my last radiation treatment. I went in for a check up and my Doc felt my neck which was swollen, he said I would have this the rest of my life. Called it Turkey wattle. Ok what I am concerned about is My lower face and neck swells so bad mostly in the morning when I wake up and I choke But lately I feel swollen glands and they hurt. I feel at times that I am suffercateing. What should I do? He also said that it swells because one of my biopsies took away one of my saliva glands and my drip??? puddles. All I can understand from the nutritionalist is to use salt and soda wash., I did not have a peg or any surgeries only the radiation. I am just confused. I lost another pound and they told me not to lose any but I can't hardly eat anything without chocking on it. I drink lots of water and coffee with alot of cream. Never liked nothing in my coffee before but now I can't drink it the way I used to. Sorry so long here but I get more answers here then my Doc. I forget when I am with him because he fusses at me. Thanks for letting me ramble. Brenda

Oh and another thing he said is that my cancer would most likely come back is that true???

Don't let the doctor "fuss" at you for asking questions. Before you go, take some time to write every single question, and tell him that since you can't ever remember everything when you are there, you are going to go down your list. And then do it! My doctor teases me about my list, but that's too bad. I still get self-conscious and skip some things on my list, but still it helps me. You'd be best off if you actually check off things as you ask them, and it also is helpful to have someone else in the room with you, since it is hard to listen when you are the patient.

I have no idea why he said that your cancer would come back. Every case is different.

Brenda:

Im sorry to hear you are having a rough time. Dont forget the doctor works for YOU. Make your list, check it twice and ask everything and write down the answers. My doctor appointments are always at least 1/2 hr with the doctor because I make sure to understand everything. Ive never experienced the neck swelling or sufficating feelings. Please check with your doctor about your neck and make sure they understand you and dont leave til you understand them. The more calories you take in, the easier and faster your body heals. Have you tried ensure, boost or the carnation very hi calorie, they will help keep your weight up. Hang in there, it will get better.

Lep,

I can't believe he told you it would most likely come back. That depends on far more things than even he can imagine. You didn't mention if you were a tobacco user but if so I hope you have stopped FOREVER. We see some re occurrences on this site but no where near 50% and I'm not suggesting that is authoritative but if it were going to come back as he may be telling all his H & N patients then we would see many more here having it come back. Need more info on you before I could even try to understand that careless statement. IMO I wouldn't worry about it coming back, just concentrate on recovering.

As far as the Turkey Chin as I call it, this site has had many threads on that topic since I started posting and some were humorous to say the least. Bottom line is that it will diminish but usually won't go away. I still have mine and I asked my RO if I could let my friend, the plastic guy, remove it. I was assured by my friend that he could do it in a simple 30 minute procedure, you know snip snip, tug tug but my RO said NO WAY, to many risks and healing would be tough due to the radiation so I still haven't made up my mind but I guess I'm leaning towards the RO's side. Exercise doesn't help, weight loss doesn't help, nothing I do seems to make any improvement so Gobble Gobble.

David,, I seem to have developed turkey neck on the left side and will wait for it to appear on the right side to balance my book out. LOL I don't mind it a bit and might get a few giggles or comments, but who cares. At least we are alive to appreciate hearing them.

I can't understand why a Dr would tell you it will come back. He has to be very uncaring to even have it in his mind. All I think should be said is what the chances for recovery are , not what they aren't. I think I would have something to say to him.THats' as bad as the Dr that told me I didn't need rad or chemo , 2 months later he tells me it's back and I need both. Hell, why didn't he do them after surgery? I have you on my prayer list.

I believe what you are talking about might be Lymphedema. I didn't have surgery...just chemo and radiation and I got Lymphedema of the neck as well. I had my doctor refer me to physical therapy for lymphatic massage. It has helped quite a bit. The physical therapist even showed my husband how to do the massage from home. You might consider asking your doctor for a referral too.

I too had the swelling and still have a little. You can use the search funtion on here and find lots of info on massaging your chin. When I do it, I find it just about disappears. Then it will eventually come back. My friendly doctor (NOT) told me to learn to live with it. I told him I was learning to live with a lot and that was the least of my problems.
At first it didn't seem the massaging was helping. But time does wonders. I would not worry. I still sleep proped up on pillows and have a neck pillow I sleep with. At first I used a reading pillow and just about slept sitting up.
It will subside with time and you will learn how to help.
Debbie

My sons best friend is Dr out of Columbus Ohio right now. He stops to see me when he is passing thru. He stopped yesterdy and we were talking about the neck massage. He told me not to press too hard when doing it because the cartoid artery is getting pressure from the surgery and if I put too much pressure, it could possibly make me black out if I stand up to quick after massaging.