how much does chemo alter permanently

Patteee
Patteee Member Posts: 945
in Colorectal Cancer #1
3 years NED yippppeeee-

during chemo I was hospitalized 3 times for vile chemo issues
one of those times, my mouth so swollen I couldn't get it open, couldn't talk, couldn't eat
gums, inside lining of my mouth, tongue- very swollen, gums swollen to the point you could not see my teeth

ok, so I made it to the other side
however I am still having issues, among other things, the inside of my mouth is tender
I can not eat or drink anything hot, luke warm is about the extent of it
no peppers, onions, no garlic, no salsa, have to be careful on any spices ie., black pepper is a no no

2 years and 5 months post chemo and it is as though the chemo permanently altered cells in my body. Like changed or damaged the cell?

Most of us know the issues with neuropathy (which I have those too!) but anyone with the mouth issues. Any suggestions on what may help?

Comments

  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #2
    I'm very sorry Patteee about
    I'm very sorry Patteee about the mouth issues. And having all the other neuropathy too.....that is what I'm dealing with.

    Gail
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #3
    plh4gail said:

    I'm very sorry Patteee about
    I'm very sorry Patteee about the mouth issues. And having all the other neuropathy too.....that is what I'm dealing with.

    Gail

    Need to get some of that
    Need to get some of that miracle mouth wash, it really works! Keep it in the fridge...
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #4
    Nana b said:

    Need to get some of that
    Need to get some of that miracle mouth wash, it really works! Keep it in the fridge...

    actually I was on a bunch of
    actually I was on a bunch of stuff, including miracle mouthwash and oral morphine (didn't swallow it)- gave me a nice little window of opportunity in order to get some calories in me. great stuff :)
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #5
    plh4gail said:

    I'm very sorry Patteee about
    I'm very sorry Patteee about the mouth issues. And having all the other neuropathy too.....that is what I'm dealing with.

    Gail

    the neuropathy- man what a
    the neuropathy- man what a pain that was/is. It does get better Gail, I do have a fair degree that is permanent.
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #6
    Patteee said:

    the neuropathy- man what a
    the neuropathy- man what a pain that was/is. It does get better Gail, I do have a fair degree that is permanent.

    okay...I like hearing there
    okay...I like hearing there is some lighter days ahead.....:))....and I wish you much luck with the mouth issues Pattee!
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    #7
    Sorry to hear this
    Have you tried rinsing with mild salt water? I know that's often used for dental issues. For a very short time I have mouth sores and the miracle wash worked. It was short lived as were many side effects.
    -phil
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #8
    At 3 years, things started getting MUCH better for me....
    ....at 4 years, my neuropathy was gone, except in one toe...

    At 6 years (5 years post treatment for both cancers),

    The heart damage from the Carboplatin (rectal), and then the Adriamycin (breast), has improved to only an 'occasional' irregular heartbeat.

    I'm still osteoporotic...sigh...but probably doesn't help that I am nearly 56 years young, and part of my resection surgery was a total hysterectomy.

    I get an occasional 'episode' of mouth sores...at which point, at the very first sign, I start swishing with warm salt water...but it was heck getting it under control to begin with. And I stop and think before eating acid stuff....fresh citrus fruit I am VERY careful of. If I'm going to 'sin', I usually start with a cup of coffee, with non-dairy creamer (or regular creamer if the non is not available) to 'coat' my mouth....no one knows (well, now you all do) what I'm doing...it looks natural, a cup of coffee.

    So, time is on your side, dear heart! I am so proud of you and your attitude, I am almost bursting!

    I am dancing for you BIG time!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #9
    KathiM said:

    At 3 years, things started getting MUCH better for me....
    ....at 4 years, my neuropathy was gone, except in one toe...

    At 6 years (5 years post treatment for both cancers),

    The heart damage from the Carboplatin (rectal), and then the Adriamycin (breast), has improved to only an 'occasional' irregular heartbeat.

    I'm still osteoporotic...sigh...but probably doesn't help that I am nearly 56 years young, and part of my resection surgery was a total hysterectomy.

    I get an occasional 'episode' of mouth sores...at which point, at the very first sign, I start swishing with warm salt water...but it was heck getting it under control to begin with. And I stop and think before eating acid stuff....fresh citrus fruit I am VERY careful of. If I'm going to 'sin', I usually start with a cup of coffee, with non-dairy creamer (or regular creamer if the non is not available) to 'coat' my mouth....no one knows (well, now you all do) what I'm doing...it looks natural, a cup of coffee.

    So, time is on your side, dear heart! I am so proud of you and your attitude, I am almost bursting!

    I am dancing for you BIG time!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi

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