| | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) |  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,128 | Part of my follow-up care from the UW Med Center was physical therapy -- Lymphedema massage, to move the lymph fluid buildup to past the now-missing nodes to other nodes in armpits -- Also to 'mobilize' the scars and make them looser -- I can see and feel results.
My problem right now is that the neck scarring (quite hard) is pulling my head down and forward, causing some middle back pain, plus fluid in my mouth tends to run forward and interfere with speech (If I am not careful, I will develop an annoying habit of sucking air in the right side of mouth to clear fluid!).
Therapist said to put hand on collar bones and hold all tissue while I stretch my chin up. Also, if you swivel head to side as far as it will go and then try to look even further, your head will turn a bit more.
Age 67 1/2
Ventral Tongue SCC T2N0M0G1 10/05
Anterior Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 6/08
Base of Tongue SCC T2N0M0G2 12/08
Three partial glossectomy (10/05,11/05,6/08), PEG, 37 XRT 66.6 Gy 1/06
Neck dissection, trach, PEG & forearm free flap (6/08)
Total glossectomy, trach, PEG & thigh free flap (12/08)
On August 21, 2010 at 9:20 am, Pete went off to play with the ratties in the sky.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Dianne
Hope you are feeling better.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 | Thanks all and am feeling ok but always on the anxious side have concerns..
Pete I am gonna mention the massage to my dr tomorrow...my homecare nurse also wrote a note recommending massage and a few other items as in pain control...meds ext....also noted a couple of white spots in my mouth which could easily be from eating and stitches coming out... fingers are crossed...she also noted that the dressing coming out of my packed incision is an odd color...so I think she has covered everything I was concerned about including temp and I don't have a sore throat anymore more side of neck like glandular pain into ear..
well must try to get sleep now as up early to travel to my doc and they made an appointment at 8:45 am...need to leave here by 6:30 or so... take care and good nite
Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 |
Dianne
Keep an eye on the white spots. I recently had a couple spots which was thrush. Dont know if you ever had that before but it moves so fast and makes your mouth pretty sore. Might wanna get it checked out tomorrow.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 113 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 113 | Hi......A friend of mine had spots in her mouth and was very concerned..she went to an ENT doctor and here it was Thrush. I believe he gave her a prescription for some kind of mouthwash. Good luck---
Husband 2/3 tongue removed March 2008. Free flap. . Stage IV. Radiation and 3 chemo's (cisplatin,taxol & erbitux). .Pet scan Aug 08 showed mets to lungs .Oct 08, recurrence. - In the arms of Jesus, July 15, 2009
| | | | | Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: May 2002 Posts: 2,152 | The mouthwash is Nystatin. Have them make the suger free kind.
Pete D. You should be massaging the scar also so it doesn't tighten up. Massage across it. I also used Biafine, the cream I used for radiation burns on the scar. It is a deep wound healing cream with Vitamin E. It cannot be used on an open wound. Talk to your PT about massaging scar.
Take care,
Eileen
----------------------
Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 | Thanks folks and I did all of what you suggested today the white spot is fine doc thinks everything is ok...go back nov 17 and will recheck spot thinking it is from eating...tightness is normal healing and I must do more of the phscio...as far as massage when I go back we will check into it more but in the mean time can massage back shoulders whereever no incisions
He also understood the pain medicine needed and more prerscribed. So as far as the fever and such we are just keepng an eye on it. I actually think they were glad to see me and that I am doing so well ...this eased my mind...Thanks Eileen I am going to check into that cream hopefully can get in canada...but the doctor said not to massage leave it for a bit but what harm could putting cream on it do? Thinking....hmmm no different than putting on pysiderm...
Anyway thanks
Dianne
Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 Platinum Member (200+ posts) | | Platinum Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 250 | Diane,
Well, that's a big WHEW! I had a recurrance scare about a week before I found this site and I was truly terrified. Doc told me it wasn't cancer and I was OK and I hugged him and cried like a baby. I know how relieved you're feeling right now. Cloud nine is a pretty nice place to hang out.
Lani
SCC part glossectomy 3/06, recur 8/06 glossectomy, floor of mouth, part of jaw removed, RT/chemo thru 10/12/06, PET clear 7/08
"A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn"
Passed away 12/14/08
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | OP "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 531 | You got that right Lani...I was nervous and even though he said it was ok until this spot is gone I will be on guard....There is still so much I am learning...
cloud nine does have a nice view!!!
Dianne
Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Yeah Dianne !!!!!! So happy to hear you are doing well. Time to celebrate
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | |
| Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,925 Members13,103 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
