Michelle,
They ask me me that EVERY time I go in?!?!? I haven't had a drink in almost 12 years and cigarette since 1976.

Typically the screeners don't even look at the chart. Believe it or not there are people here and others that I have met while in treatment that smoke and/or drink regardless of their situation. At my CCC, patients would sneak cigarettes in the bathroom IN the hospital, in radiation oncology.

They are asking so that they can get your mother help if that is an issue - not to piss you off. Don't take it so personal- Save your energy -there will lots of worse things to be upset about.

As for the white patches in her mouth, Erik had the whole surgery side turn white too, it was not thrush it was the healing process. It did hurt some and they gave him Reynolds solution (which is what your mom got too) He also had the ear pain, and it seemed to worsen after the surgery for a while. It has finally calmed down, now that radiation and chemo are finished. Be patient, the healing has to happen and weird stuff shows up, just make sure you keep educating yourself so you can go to the docs and tell them exactly what is going on. This forum helped a ton for us, I was able to watch others who were just ahead of us in treatment and kindof know what to expect. Im praying for you both
Jennie

Thanks everyone who responded. You all are so wonderful. This is just a very stressful time for me. I tend to get overwhelmed easily. I am just worried about my mother.
You are right Gary about getting upset over some of these dr.'s. Anyhow the medicine he gave my mother is working. The white coating on the side of her tongue is gone after 2 days of taking it.
She is also rinsing her mouth with the salt/baking soda mixture every hour.
She is still having the pain in her ear on the opposite side. My mother told me that the pain was on both sides and she went to the dr. and he cleaned the wax out of both ears and the right side did not hurt anymore. But the left side still does. And she said it hurts on her tongue on that same side a little bit toward the back.
I looked but did not see anything. This pain started the week before radiation started. It has been 12 weeks since her surgery, and she didn't have the pain then either.
So I am wondering if it is stress related.
She is seeing her ENT dr. tomorrow, so hopefully we will find something out then.
Hi Amy, how are things going for your husband?
He is very lucky to have you by his side. You always have such kind and comforting words.
It helps to talk to someone who is going through similiar situations. I wish the best for you both.
Jennie, thanks for the info also. How is your husband doing? Hope things are going well for you.
I hope the ear pain my mother is having is just related to her surgery and nothing else going on.
They waited 12 weeks after her surgery before they started radiation because it had to be sent up to the main CCC hospital and get set up. This was a big delay.
She just had her 7th treatment today and so far she has no complaints.
I will keep posting,

Take care everyone
Michelle

Hi everyone,
My mom went to her ENT about her ear pain and the pain on the left side of her tongue and he said everything looked fine. No ear infection and her tongue actually looked great. He seems to think it is from the healing process still going on.
She did have a tooth that was abcessed pulled right before radiation and I am wondering if it is related to that.
Anyhow I feel so much better.
She continues on with her radiation. 9th day today. So far she feels fine. She said she notices a little taste difference.
She meets with the RO once a week and will have blood work every other week.
Take care everyone
Michelle

I have squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth just on 1 side. I had surgery 6 months ago with a neck resection etc. at the the time the doc said so radiation needed for now but if it comes back we may have to consider it. It is back jsut 6 months later although the area is very small. They now want me to get a radiation consult and I am not sure radiation is what I want to do. Has anyone had a recurrance after completeing radiation? what are your options then? Radiation is a 1 time thing I am told so if it comes backs again what happens then?

Dear AnnK, my husband had surgery and radiation- the cancer did come back- within 4 months- He had more surgery and is now doing chemo therapy. Get the best advice you can at this juncture. Best luck. Amy

AnnK, It may be small, but it's a recurrence, which indicates an aggressive cancer. I would throw everything you can at it this time and worry more about what could happen if you don't do enough and it comes back in a worse way yet again. But as Amy said, get the best advice you can and if you feel you need it, get a second opinion.

Nelie

AnnK,

I went back and reread your original post of several months ago, and was reminded that you have had multiple surgeries over the years for this. It seems evident that surgery by itself is not curing this cancer. I hope you are going to a major cancer center at this point, as recurrences need the expertise of doctors who see oral cancer all the time.

All of us who have had radiation have heard "you can only have this once in your life", but if it's what you need for the best shot at a cure, you take it. My "one" radiation was 17 years ago.

Cathy

AnnK (and Cathy G),

I too went back and read AnnK's prior posts. If you are still being treated at Duke, you are in a good place. I know radiation is in store for me if I have any recurrence. Best of luck to you.

Sincerely,
Lisa