swelling

team stevens

hello everyone, haven't been online in a while due to computer problems. Mike had his PET/CT scan & it was inconclusive. the dr said there was so much edema,they couldn't get a clear picture. They also said that there was some activity that they were concerned about. Mike's had an infection in his neck that's been leaking fluid off & on for about a month. he's been taking antibiotics, which have helped. but he's also had alot of swelling to the lower cheeks & his lower lip. the past few days, the top lip has been swollen also. we saw his dr. on wednesday & they did a biopsy in his office of the fluid in his neck. they seem to think that whatever's causing the infection is what's causing the swelling. has anyone else had this happen or even heard of this? they had him on steroids to reduce the swelling & they worked at first,but his dr wanted him to stop taking them, because they slowed down the effects of the antibiotics.

Pam M

Hope It Lets Up Soon
How frustrating, to not be able to get a clear reading. Sorry you guys have this added irritation. Hope the infection clears soon.

MarineE5

Swelling
Team Stevens,

Sorry to hear this news. I have to say that I had something similiar. A little bit of history on my part. Had Melanoma roughly 10 months after I completed radiation for Base of Tongue cancer and prior surgery for the BOT.

When I had the neck disection prior to my radiation, my neck healed up pretty good and basically in the time frame the Doctors figured it would. Fast forward to the Melanoma and the surgery and reconstruction of my left cheek area. The incisions seemed to take sooo long to heal compared to the neck disection. I asked about this after finding out that I now had an infection and taking antibiotics. The Doctors told me that our DNA changes in the area of the radiation field and healing takes longer and infections are possible.

After some time, my infection did clear up and I have healed up nicely.

Lymphodema--My question to you is this. Is Mike sleeping in a flat position at night? Does he do a gentle face and neck massage for the lymphodema? If he isn't, he might want to start sleeping in an inclined position by either using several pillows under his head and neck, so his face and neck are higher then his heart level. He can also purchase a foam wedge to help with this. A gentle face and neck massage starts to move the lymphnode system flowing and we also have gravity on our side. During the day, by just walking around, the lymphnode system drains downward.

Hopefully, the combination of sleeping in an inclined position, gentle massage of the face and neck to move the fluids and the antibiotics do something to relieve the swelling and things get back to normal for Mike.

My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here

team stevens

MarineE5 said:

Swelling
Team Stevens,

Sorry to hear this news. I have to say that I had something similiar. A little bit of history on my part. Had Melanoma roughly 10 months after I completed radiation for Base of Tongue cancer and prior surgery for the BOT.

When I had the neck disection prior to my radiation, my neck healed up pretty good and basically in the time frame the Doctors figured it would. Fast forward to the Melanoma and the surgery and reconstruction of my left cheek area. The incisions seemed to take sooo long to heal compared to the neck disection. I asked about this after finding out that I now had an infection and taking antibiotics. The Doctors told me that our DNA changes in the area of the radiation field and healing takes longer and infections are possible.

After some time, my infection did clear up and I have healed up nicely.

Lymphodema--My question to you is this. Is Mike sleeping in a flat position at night? Does he do a gentle face and neck massage for the lymphodema? If he isn't, he might want to start sleeping in an inclined position by either using several pillows under his head and neck, so his face and neck are higher then his heart level. He can also purchase a foam wedge to help with this. A gentle face and neck massage starts to move the lymphnode system flowing and we also have gravity on our side. During the day, by just walking around, the lymphnode system drains downward.

Hopefully, the combination of sleeping in an inclined position, gentle massage of the face and neck to move the fluids and the antibiotics do something to relieve the swelling and things get back to normal for Mike.

My Best to Both of You and Everyone Here

Thanks MarineE5!!
Thanks so much for the info.Mike sleeps on his side & with pillows, but they're so soft it was pointless. I wet & got him a foam wedge & he's doing the massaging technique you mentioned. We go back to the dr. on Wednesday, hopefully for some good new for a change.

you & everyone here are in our prayers