Information on eliminatiung Mucas

rdbaughman
rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
edited March 2012 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I wanted to pass along some useful information that I have found while going through my recovery from Throat Cancer.

A little about my situation. I was diagonosed almost a year ago with stage 4 invasive squamous cell carcinoma ( throat cancer )I went through 6 treatments of Chemo & 42 Radiation Treatments. After waiting 3 months for the swelling to go down I was given a PETT Scan to see the results of these treatments & found that the cancer tumor had not gone away or shrank at all. A total laragectomy was the next step which I had surgery for just a bit over 2 months ago. I had a feeding tube inserted at the beginning of Radiation & Chemo which was a good thing because I lost 90 pounds during the last year. Not a bad thing as I was what you would call gross obeise at the time. I'm 5'7" & now weigh a comfortable 180 pouinds. I never thought I would ever see myself under 200 pounds again, although I would definetly not advise this type of weight loss plan. As you can see I still have a sence of humor mixed with bouts of depression with at times sucidal thoughts although I would never let it go that far. I'm being treated with depression medications right now. I have just in the last few weeks been able to eat by mouth again getting away from the feeding tube.

My surgeon told me right off to get a cool mist humidifier. I got a big one, covers 2400 sq feet for my apartment whish is only 1400 sq feet & I highly reccomend it. I keep my apartment at 50-60 humidity rate. It has really helped my throat stay moist & with my hot showers that I take 2 times a day realy helps keep my stoma clear of mucas. The cost of these larger humidifiers are fairly reasonable, I paid around $90 for mine. I fill it twice a day & run it 24/7. I hope this information is useful to anyone out there going through what I have.

Roger

Comments

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #2
    Yes sir
    it is a heck of a way to lose weight. Welcome to the club.


    Pat
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #3
    longtermsurvivor said:

    Yes sir
    it is a heck of a way to lose weight. Welcome to the club.


    Pat

    When my mom
    had her laryngectomy she started using a humidifier in her home, too...it made a world of difference for her. When she broke her hip and was in the hospital the dry air made her life a misery, so they set her up with a mist-er and a mask with a string pulled thru the holes. She'd just hang it around her neck and get humidity that way. It sure helped her.

    p
  • NeoTheron91
    NeoTheron91 Member Posts: 75
    #4
    thanks
    Thanks for your information.

    I am still struggling with mucous problem after finished my radiation treatment 3 months ago.

    Cheers,
    Neo
  • rdbaughman
    rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
    #5
    phrannie51 said:

    When my mom
    had her laryngectomy she started using a humidifier in her home, too...it made a world of difference for her. When she broke her hip and was in the hospital the dry air made her life a misery, so they set her up with a mist-er and a mask with a string pulled thru the holes. She'd just hang it around her neck and get humidity that way. It sure helped her.

    p

    using a mister
    My doctor perscribed me a mister to use for humidity because it was covered under my insurance. The problem was that the one's you can rent are no where near like the ones you use in the hospital. They in my opinion are are not worth the cost or effort to use. The Humidifiers work much better, I have used both. The rental misters just don't produce enough mist to do any good. I don't know, maybe I got one type that dosn't work well but I did call the company & complained & they brought out another unit but it didn't work any better. I'm sure glad that the one your Mom has works well for her. It sure makes our life a little easier to be able to breath easier.....
    Roger

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