Head

[burchm634]

My husband,55,was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tonsils. No longer smokes. Total of 6 wks/64 treatmts/twice a day of radiation, ended 10-31-03. Dr told us 2-4 wks recuperation. After,went to hospital for 1 wk,received PEG tube & home suction machine for phlegm. Internist checked all major systems; found no other problems. Now more than 4 wks after radiation. Tried Mycelex Troche/Zofran ODT/Drituss HD Elixir/Evoxac/artificial saliva/Pepcid AC/Biotene products for mouth moisture/diff pain meds. Side effects making life very difficult; not healing. Throat/esophagus/mouth still extremely sore with open sores & very thick phlegm; not subsiding at all, but worse. Gag reflux sets in;causing nausea/vomiting when suctioning phlegm deep in throat & makes mouth/lips very sore. Miracle MW & salt/baking soda rinses make mouth sorer, drying out further. Rebound effects fr Guaifenesin & Ibuprofen, with phlegm re-thickening; stopped meds. Ice chips/drinking water by mouth do not help dissolve/get past thick phlegm deep in throat. Uses humidifier & suction machine constantly, but cannot get at phlegm deep in throat. When furnace on, further exacerbates dry mouth conditions, counteracting humidifier. Seems only getting worse, not better. Any suggestions/comments/ideas on what we need to be doing differently, what we have/have not been doing that could hasten healing process? Wonder if Goldenseal/vitamins might help heal throat more? Any input would be deeply appreciated if you can assist with alleviating problems/hasten healing. Wonder if he will ever heal/much depression.

[burchm634]

A wonderful and very caring person referred my husband to call Hospice Services.  I was unaware that this type of help and assistance could be given to a person who is not terminal. It is called Palliative care and a very revealing bit of information that doctors are not trained in giving palliative care to patients, when meds and other things they have tried do not work.  For anyone who may be needing this type of service, call your local Information and Referral Service and ask for information on hospice/palliative care services in your community.  You do not have to be a senior or the person does not need to be terminally ill.  If Info & Referral does not have phone #s, then just call any hospice in the phonebook and ask for free palliative care services info.  They told me the procedure is to call your doctor and tell them to refer the patient for this type of care.  The hospice I spoke to told me that no one should be in this much distress and suffering and that there is help out there for those who need it!

[burchm634]

In my above question, I forgot to add that the original diagnosis on 08-22-03 was the result of surgery.  They removed 90% of the tumor and radiation was the follow-up course of action followed.

[ana31983]

A related discussion, Laryngeal Cancer was started.

[Kaytybug]

A related discussion, Side Effects was started.

[nita101]

A related discussion, Neck cancer was started.

[Pariser]

I am a 49 Year old Man and 18 months ago My Phisician discovered that I had a pouch under my neck that was growing very quickly, it was diagnosed as a Ganglionary Cancer ans I was operated on 2 weeks after having consulted a Cancerologistn a huge pouch of exisiting mettassaes was taken away in time, just before it could have burst and the cancer celles would have spred through my whole body in that case. 2 Months after the operation I underwent 4 months of Intensive Raditherapy daily.My Cancerologist has told me that I am healed, but Still today, after 18 months, I still suffer from the Radiation side effects, that include, dry mouth,extreme difficulties in swallowing solid food, I cant eat or drink enything that is acid or that cotains acidity, but my major problem is the difficulty in swallowing solid food and that is a major problem for me. Can you or can anybody help me or advise me on how I can re swallow solid food again.
My Cancerologist has told me to be patient and that everything will come back to normal, but I notice it is not the case and thats why im asking for help ! I thank in advance anybody that can help me to solve this problem
Thierry Pariser
Paris France
email ; thierry_pariser2004***@****

[Pariser]

I am a 49 Year old Man and 18 months ago My Phisician discovered that I had a pouch under my neck that was growing very quickly, it was diagnosed as a Ganglionary Cancer ans I was operated on 2 weeks after having consulted a Cancerologistn a huge pouch of exisiting mettassaes was taken away in time, just before it could have burst and the cancer celles would have spred through my whole body in that case. 2 Months after the operation I underwent 4 months of Intensive Raditherapy daily.My Cancerologist has told me that I am healed, but Still today, after 18 months, I still suffer from the Radiation side effects, that include, dry mouth,extreme difficulties in swallowing solid food, I cant eat or drink enything that is acid or that cotains acidity, but my major problem is the difficulty in swallowing solid food and that is a major problem for me. Can you or can anybody help me or advise me on how I can re swallow solid food again.
My Cancerologist has told me to be patient and that everything will come back to normal, but I notice it is not the case and thats why im asking for help ! I thank in advance anybody that can help me to solve this problem
Thierry Pariser
Paris France
email ; thierry_pariser2004***@****

[National Jewish]

This is a very complex question and really needs the response by the oncologist and surgeon to give the most help.  Unfortunately, all of these cases are different and need the attention of the person(s) involved with the direct care.