I had a bilateral ND on March 2. As far as I can tell I am healing well. I can turn my neck enough to drive. Getting around the house nicely. I even did a little yard and house work this week.
The problem is this. I am still swollen in my jawls area and because of that I can not chew. I simply can not get the top and bottom teeth together.
I have a PEG and I have been using it for months, but I would really like to eat something. Even if it is just an egg!
I don't have another appt. with any of my doctors for weeks. Should I call and make a sooner one? With who? Are there exercises to help me correct this? (Ice isn't helping)
Any suggestions. Please
Thanks
AmyK

You have to exercise your mouth movements. Practice openeng and closing. Try to open it as far as possible. It will lossen up. THey should have told you that Amy. Go kick butt so they remember next time.

When did your treatments end? I had the surgery first then radiation but I would think 3 weeks out that you'd be easing back into soft foods like Jell-o, apple sause, eggs, chicken noodle soup. Regarding your appointment, you might want to move it up a bit so your Dr. can take a look. Good luck.

Amy
I had my neck dissection a month ago today and my jaw split open mandibulectomy)spread out sideways ear to ear (jaws are hinged to go only up and down and left right, not ball and socket joints to rotate so it's painful). Yet I was able to put my bottom and top teeth together in the ICU despite massive swelling and five bloody drain bulbs. Something is not right here. I recommend calling your doctor asap and getting a prescription for physical therapy with a hospital that has a cancer center. There are lots of exercises to help with this problem but it is best to have a professional teach them to you so you don't inadvertently hurt yourself.

Amy

Everyone is different cant be more true in these types of circumstances. While some of us are able to eat right away, others will take much longer. That should be discussed with your doctor who knows the depth of your surgery and how long your recovery should be. For some, they can swallow daily, for others it could do great harm and it could cause asphixation. Please ask your doctor.

Amy....There are swallowing therapists who deal mostly with Oral Cancer Patients. That's where you want to go. Jim started with one but it didn't last too long as he had a recurrence (mouth tumors) so needless to say we had to stop our appointments. I must say though, if he didn't have the recurrence, I am sure he would be swallowing by now. Hang in there.........and keep us posted.........Claudia

Thanks everyone. I am lucky enough to have a local Head and Neck Cancer support group that meets tomorrow evening. The head of the group just so happeneds to be a Speach Therapists! I will take to her tomorrow afternoon.
So far as my Dr and what he thinks. He told my husband at the hospital that he was putting no restictions on me, I can eat and do whatever I am able to do. Everytime I have tried to ask him a time frame type question. He throws it back in my lap and says it really depends on me and how fast I want to recover. I would think that since I try to get out of my house and go somewhere and do something everyday that that is a good sign that I would like to recover quickly. I try to push myself daily. I have never been one to lay around (except for durning my chemo/rads that was hell)
I'm just frustrated. Again thanks for your answers.
Amy

Amy - Which hospital are you going to in Florida? My husband sees doctors at Shands in Gainesville and David went to Moffitt. Best wishes to you! JaneP

Baptist in Pensacola it is a Moffitt affiliate.

Thanks Amy - Let us know when you are able to start eating again, and keep us updated. Thinking of you....Jane