hello everyone!
to make a long story short, i am on oral patient since 2000. first time there was just a small spot on the right side of my tongue. had surgery and was cancer free for 3 yrs. then on the same area reoccurance.2nd surgery followed by radiation. 6 months later another surgery followed by chemo. then i had some glnds also involved on the right side and the chemo instead of minimizing the problem make it worse. the glands got stuck and and that area showed necrosis of tissue. surgery with radical right side dissection and some gands from the left side that were also having problem. in total till last December i had 5 surgeries 1 time radiation on the mouth area and on December radiation on the neck area too. on March i had an invasive surgery with 2/3 glossectomy and some other glands from the left side taken off. margins on the tongue 1cm clear, if this is supposed to be clear, and the glands had invade the left jugular vein, my Dr said he did his best and clear as much as he could as the next step was to take off the only jugular vein left sth that would lead to other problems.
As i am now almost 2 months post sugery , also 5months post radiation in the neck area, i just wanted to ask you if the swelling around the jaw could be due to radiation? nothing was happening till 3 weeks ago but now the swelling keep increasing.
i am asking u that because my Dr told me that it could be due to radiation, but can the effects of radiation occur for first time 5 months post Tx? i had a ct done on Tuesday that showed that i have a suspicious gland on my right side. could this swelling be because of that? i forgot to mention that my right eye has began falling the last 3 weeks, they told me that this is because of the surgery and also my right side of my pharynx and larynx are paralysed. i know that you will be sincere with me could you please tell me what is your opinion and do u know if i can do anything to get a bit of relief with the swelling?
any input of what i can do to fight this terrible disease?
thanks you very much for your time

Obviously you need to check with your doctor, but sounds like lymphedema to me. Your lymph fluid doesn't have anywhere to go anymore now that you've had lymph nodes removed, so it pools in places like the jaw line. My doctor referred me to Occupational Therapy to deal with the lymphedema I was experiencing - I didn't even realize how swollen I was until I had my first manual lymphatic drainage massage - there were instant results. My speech even improved - lymphatic fluid can also pool in your tongue and inside of your cheeks. My OT taught me how to do the massage technique myself, and now when I see that my jaw line is puffing up or my cheeks are starting to get thick, I can manage it on my own.

Lisa can you explain how you do that massage? I have the same problem and can't get it. I don't have insurance and since I do work no one will take care of me, ( that I can find) so basically I am on my own until I can't work again. I don't want to have to not work.But the swelling is getting bad again and I am loosing my voice again. Thanks Brenda

I don't think I could do a very good job of telling you how to do the massage without physically being able to demonstrate - and that would be outside my scope of practice (I'm an RN so I have to live by a different set of rules than non healthcare providers!). Occupational therapists actually have to go get a special certification to learn how to do the manual lymphatic drainage - so it isn't as simple as saying "rub here, push there..." You would also need a doctor's order for the OT - so this is definitely something you would want to discuss with your doctor at your next visit.

Sorry I can't be of more help!

Thanks mama always told me it never hurt to ask.