sore throat...cancer again???

maur
maur Member Posts: 23 Member
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
As you guys probably know, my friend was diagnosed in APril 04 of tonsil cancer, stage 4. He had chemo and radiation and in Nov by the grace of God he was given the all clear from his pet scan results. He is suffering from depression, I can't get him to reach out to anyone or go for help. The dry mouth is really bad and he doesn't sleep which does not help. The last 2 days he is saying his throat is extra dry and sore. I am worried, does this sound like recurrence??? Please reply I am scared!!Thanks!

Comments

  • oldhippie
    oldhippie Member Posts: 10
    #2
    If you have the slightest concern about recurrence...this is not the place to express your fears. Get on the phone...call the oncologist and voice you fears! Then drag your friend in to see him/her. Your friend should have found some ways of coping with the dry mouth by now...I know the water bottle is a pain, but I have found I can go longer between sips by keeping my mouth shut (my wife appreciates that). Also, there is a difference between depression and frustration. Make sure your friend understands that. If he is having trouble finding things to eat (like I am) then frustration is the correct word. Don't let him give up. Take care and God bless.
  • maur
    maur Member Posts: 23 Member
    #3
    oldhippie said:

    If you have the slightest concern about recurrence...this is not the place to express your fears. Get on the phone...call the oncologist and voice you fears! Then drag your friend in to see him/her. Your friend should have found some ways of coping with the dry mouth by now...I know the water bottle is a pain, but I have found I can go longer between sips by keeping my mouth shut (my wife appreciates that). Also, there is a difference between depression and frustration. Make sure your friend understands that. If he is having trouble finding things to eat (like I am) then frustration is the correct word. Don't let him give up. Take care and God bless.

    Hi oldhippie, No he really hasn't found anything to help with the dry mouth. (except water)I think he is frustated for sure but depressed also. He is not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. He called his doctor and scheduled an appointment for next Wed.The girl that answered the phone wasn't really interested in his fears or concerns...so I told him he should mention that to his doc when he sees him.I don't know why some people have these jobs and then have no compassion. Anyway, yes finding things to eat are getting difficult for him, he is growing tired of soups, ice cream, eggs...wants a cheeseburg or pizza!!!!Anyway thanks for the reply & God bless you back!
  • oldhippie
    oldhippie Member Posts: 10
    #4
    maur said:

    Hi oldhippie, No he really hasn't found anything to help with the dry mouth. (except water)I think he is frustated for sure but depressed also. He is not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. He called his doctor and scheduled an appointment for next Wed.The girl that answered the phone wasn't really interested in his fears or concerns...so I told him he should mention that to his doc when he sees him.I don't know why some people have these jobs and then have no compassion. Anyway, yes finding things to eat are getting difficult for him, he is growing tired of soups, ice cream, eggs...wants a cheeseburg or pizza!!!!Anyway thanks for the reply & God bless you back!

    Hi maur...It's "next Wednesday"...what did the doctor have to say?
  • maur
    maur Member Posts: 23 Member
    #5
    oldhippie said:

    Hi maur...It's "next Wednesday"...what did the doctor have to say?

    oldhippie,
    Good news! Doc says Rod looks great! Tissue is very pink and healthy. He did the scope up his nose & down his throat. He even called in another doctor to show him that Rod went from a golf ball sized tumor on his tonsil to this.The doc says it's wonderful! The sore throat could be coming from weather changes. He lives in Florida and nights are cold now. He didn't have much to offer as far as dry mouth but he did say Rod had a little saliva there so it's better than nothing.Rod is very small framed and now from the cancer is very thin. The doc says this helps in checking him because they could feel a lump right away. He showed Rod where on his neck to check himself but I don't know how good that is...Rod is a hypochondriac(sp????) so he will be feeling eveything all the time lol! He won't be checked again until April 2 unless he has problems. It's wonderful news! Thank you for asking & God bless!!! Maureen

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