throat too swollen to fit in mask

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ahollie
ahollie Member Posts: 84
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

well..my hunny couldnt have his treatment today as his throat was too swollen and the mask wouldnt fit...poor guy...the phlem is so bad he feels like he is drowning..we are only in our 4th week..im glad they are giving him a break for a few days and some new meds..hopefully he will feel better in a few days..thanks for letting me vent...i hate cancer!

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  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #2
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    ahollie, wow, it is really

    ahollie, wow, it is really hitting him hard.  i pray it gets better for him and he can finish tx.  i'm sorry he is having such trouble.  i'm with you, I HATE CANCER!!

    God bless you,

    dj

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #3
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    it can be tough

    ahollie,

    While my mask was tight (like a good mask should be) it never held up a treatment session.  Hopefully, the swelling will reduce or adjustments can be made so that he can finish treatments.

    I had to go through a little swish and spit, cough and gag just prior to mask time. Sometimes I wondered if I could make it through and one time I had to throw my hands up and start all over.

    Twenty minutes can seem like a lot to a H&N patient with a swollen throat and a bunch of phlegm, but if you can somehow prepare and relax just a bit you will get through this.

    Try hacking, try ginger ale, try musinex, try suction machine, try Lorazapam, try praying, try anything.

    I hope you find a way to manage.

    Matt

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #4
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    CivilMatt said:

    it can be tough

    ahollie,

    While my mask was tight (like a good mask should be) it never held up a treatment session.  Hopefully, the swelling will reduce or adjustments can be made so that he can finish treatments.

    I had to go through a little swish and spit, cough and gag just prior to mask time. Sometimes I wondered if I could make it through and one time I had to throw my hands up and start all over.

    Twenty minutes can seem like a lot to a H&N patient with a swollen throat and a bunch of phlegm, but if you can somehow prepare and relax just a bit you will get through this.

    Try hacking, try ginger ale, try musinex, try suction machine, try Lorazapam, try praying, try anything.

    I hope you find a way to manage.

    Matt

    Too tight

    I recall them showing me some plates on the table that could be removed (under back of my head) if the mask got too tight. If memory serves me right they looked like plexiglass. I guess each facility is different. I had another mask made at Mayo yesterday and it was totally different from the other 2 that I had, This one has a front and back but doesn't come down as far. They said they actually have 3 different styles, depending on the doctor orders. Sorry to hear that your husband is having trouble with the phlegm, I know that has to make a difficult situation even more so. Hope he is back on the program soon and done before you know it.

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