How long does throat stay sore after Surgery

rdbaughman
rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
edited March 2012 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi, this is my very 1st day here. I just registered & looking for information. A little about my situation. 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 real question here is how long can I expect my throat to be so sore every time I swallow food? I'm on pain medication due to chronic back pain & I have to take this PAIN MEDICATION it seems to tolorate the pain I'm experiancing from eating due to the sore throat. Has anyone out there had this problem? Please let me know. All my doctor says is that because of the Maximum amount of Radiation Treatments I had, it has caused damage to the throat area. He has no guess as to how long it will take to heal completely. Anyone that can give me any information please do.

I thank you for your help.............. Roger

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    Welcome Roger....
    I'm way too new to give advice....I just found out that I have cancer last Thrusday. But I can tell you this...there are many, many knowledgeable people here...I'm so grateful I found this site the first day. I haven't left this site since last week. :)

    phrannie
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #3
    Hard to swallow
    Hi Roger, welcome and sorry you've joined us. It sounds like it's been five or six months since the end of your radiation and chemo. It's not uncommon for sore throats to last that long, and, you had the laryngectomy only two months after finishing the rads, and that can compound the healing time.

    Your doc should have given you a guess at least, a ballpark figure, but I know some just won't take those big chances. Geesh.

    Your doc should have also offered you some Magic Mouthwash, which is usually a liquid mixture of lydocaine and some other stuff, that you can swish around a bit, and gargle, then spit out to deaden the throat to make it easier to eat. If he hasn't ask about it.

    For all around help, and a lot on throat pain, have a look at the SuperThread for links to past discussions and advice. Superthread was compiled by Sweetblood, one of us, and it has loads on the little hows and whats that can make your recovery easier.

    That's a lot of attention your throat has gotten lately, take whatever you need to eat and stay healthy and recovering for now.

    best, Hal
  • rdbaughman
    rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
    #4
    phrannie51 said:

    Welcome Roger....
    I'm way too new to give advice....I just found out that I have cancer last Thrusday. But I can tell you this...there are many, many knowledgeable people here...I'm so grateful I found this site the first day. I haven't left this site since last week. :)

    phrannie

    Thank You
    Hi Phrannie, I like your dog, My Chocolate Lab & best friend just passed away this summer. It has not been a good year. Your right, I spent 6 hours on this site yesterday & found it very informative. I just wanted to thank you for your thoughts. I wish you the best for your recovery during these trying times.
    Roger
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    Welcome Roger
    Just wanted to give the Muskie man a shout out, and welcome you here.... You'll find some awesome folks here, and tons of good information and expereinces.

    I was Dx STGIII SCC Tonsils and a lymphnode (HPV+) in January 2009...

    Finished up sixteen weeks of Cisplatin, Taxotere, 5FU, Carboplatin and the 35 daily rads June 2009.

    All clear and everything is good to go....

    All blood work back in normal ranges (even the thyroid that going south), but back normal on the last CBC.

    I have regained all taste and nearly all saliva (other than dry when sleeping)...

    Again...welcome,
    John
  • rdbaughman
    rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
    #6
    Skiffin16 said:

    Welcome Roger
    Just wanted to give the Muskie man a shout out, and welcome you here.... You'll find some awesome folks here, and tons of good information and expereinces.

    I was Dx STGIII SCC Tonsils and a lymphnode (HPV+) in January 2009...

    Finished up sixteen weeks of Cisplatin, Taxotere, 5FU, Carboplatin and the 35 daily rads June 2009.

    All clear and everything is good to go....

    All blood work back in normal ranges (even the thyroid that going south), but back normal on the last CBC.

    I have regained all taste and nearly all saliva (other than dry when sleeping)...

    Again...welcome,
    John

    Thank's for the Welcome to the Community
    HI John,

    Thank's for the welcome. Great site from what I have seen my first day here. I like your Chocolate Lab, I also had a Chocolate Lab but he passed away this summer from old age. He ( Sammy ) was truely my best friend.

    P.S. That was a Northern I had the pleasure of catching while spending the day with my Daughter that was visiting from out of state while I was going through Radiation, she had a blast.

    Roger
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #7
    rdbaughman said:

    Thank's for the Welcome to the Community
    HI John,

    Thank's for the welcome. Great site from what I have seen my first day here. I like your Chocolate Lab, I also had a Chocolate Lab but he passed away this summer from old age. He ( Sammy ) was truely my best friend.

    P.S. That was a Northern I had the pleasure of catching while spending the day with my Daughter that was visiting from out of state while I was going through Radiation, she had a blast.

    Roger

    Northern...
    Sweet, myself and several others fish..Greg and Pat (if we can get him off of his tractor)...

    I was debating if that might be a pike, but it was larger than I had thought.

    Down here in Florida, we have a smaller version called Chain Pickerel.

    Scan through my expressions and you'll see a few of those tasty little critters that Kent loves so well...LOL.

    Just teasing Kent, I love them also...usually breaded and deep fried.

    Best,
    John
  • rdbaughman
    rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
    #8
    Skiffin16 said:

    Northern...
    Sweet, myself and several others fish..Greg and Pat (if we can get him off of his tractor)...

    I was debating if that might be a pike, but it was larger than I had thought.

    Down here in Florida, we have a smaller version called Chain Pickerel.

    Scan through my expressions and you'll see a few of those tasty little critters that Kent loves so well...LOL.

    Just teasing Kent, I love them also...usually breaded and deep fried.

    Best,
    John

    Northern
    HI John, Yep, you nailed it. It's a 38" Northern I caught with my daughter while she was here from out of state while I was going through radiation & Chemo sessions. She had a blast & couldn't believe I released it to get a bit larger....LOL I love to fish but don't keep any, I'm strictly CPR. Catch, Photograph & Release. I'm from Florida originally ( West Palm Beach ) I live in Wisconsin now where the fishing is awsome.......
    I checked out your Expressions, very nich fish there.......
    Roger
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #9
    rdbaughman said:

    Northern
    HI John, Yep, you nailed it. It's a 38" Northern I caught with my daughter while she was here from out of state while I was going through radiation & Chemo sessions. She had a blast & couldn't believe I released it to get a bit larger....LOL I love to fish but don't keep any, I'm strictly CPR. Catch, Photograph & Release. I'm from Florida originally ( West Palm Beach ) I live in Wisconsin now where the fishing is awsome.......
    I checked out your Expressions, very nich fish there.......
    Roger

    WPB
    Not sure if you have hear of DOA fishing lures, pretty big here in Florida, located down around WPB.

    But anyways, there was a caregiver on here a few years ago now. I friended her and and helped with questions, support and communication.

    In talking with her, I eventually forund out her husband was Matk Nichols of DOA Lures... I just saw him last week doing fishing seminars and promotions, and he's doing well.

    I fished a few times during treatment as well...nothing more healing for me...

    Glad you are doing well,

    Best
    John
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #10
    Welcome
    welcome Roger, you have done a great fight we all here are proud of you.

    regarding the pain durning and after swallowing. i had the same problem for years post treatment and each year it did get better. mostly i think i just learned to deal with it as part of my new normal. your doctor is right he does not have an idea. i had a tooth pulled years after treatment, they thought it might take 6-8 months. as it turned out it took well over a year to cover the bone and has not filled in like the everyday persons would. everyone heals differently post radiation. sure hope it heals soon for you.

    being from florida you sure look like a wisconsin native. where are you located and where did you have your treatment.

    do you only like to fish for big fish? i know the perch up there are my all time favorite. What lake was the big boy caught?

    john
  • rdbaughman
    rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
    #11
    fisrpotpe said:

    Welcome
    welcome Roger, you have done a great fight we all here are proud of you.

    regarding the pain durning and after swallowing. i had the same problem for years post treatment and each year it did get better. mostly i think i just learned to deal with it as part of my new normal. your doctor is right he does not have an idea. i had a tooth pulled years after treatment, they thought it might take 6-8 months. as it turned out it took well over a year to cover the bone and has not filled in like the everyday persons would. everyone heals differently post radiation. sure hope it heals soon for you.

    being from florida you sure look like a wisconsin native. where are you located and where did you have your treatment.

    do you only like to fish for big fish? i know the perch up there are my all time favorite. What lake was the big boy caught?

    john

    Wisconsin
    John,
    I live in Central Wisconsin, Merrill which is 15 North of Wausau. I fish mainly for Bass & Northern.
    I had my treatment & surgery through the Marshfield Clinin in weston.
    Roger
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #12
    rdbaughman said:

    Wisconsin
    John,
    I live in Central Wisconsin, Merrill which is 15 North of Wausau. I fish mainly for Bass & Northern.
    I had my treatment & surgery through the Marshfield Clinin in weston.
    Roger

    know it well
    i know your location well, my parents had a cottage on Pelican Lake for many years. loved it up there.

    Enjoy your time on the lake, it is so special.

    john
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #13
    rdbaughman said:

    Wisconsin
    John,
    I live in Central Wisconsin, Merrill which is 15 North of Wausau. I fish mainly for Bass & Northern.
    I had my treatment & surgery through the Marshfield Clinin in weston.
    Roger

    know it well
    i know your location well, my parents had a cottage on Pelican Lake for many years. loved it up there.

    Enjoy your time on the lake, it is so special.

    john
  • rdbaughman
    rdbaughman Member Posts: 35
    #14
    fisrpotpe said:

    know it well
    i know your location well, my parents had a cottage on Pelican Lake for many years. loved it up there.

    Enjoy your time on the lake, it is so special.

    john

    Pelican Lake
    John,

    I have fished that lake many times, it's only about a 45 minute drive for me. Fishing season is here & I'm looking forward to the challange. My doctor highly advised me against going out on my fishing boat because of my STOMA. He told me I can go out on a Pontoon if I have to fish on a boat. A Pontoon is an expence I can not afford right now so I have not yet decided on what to do because fishing is my only real passion.

    Roger
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #15
    rdbaughman said:

    Pelican Lake
    John,

    I have fished that lake many times, it's only about a 45 minute drive for me. Fishing season is here & I'm looking forward to the challange. My doctor highly advised me against going out on my fishing boat because of my STOMA. He told me I can go out on a Pontoon if I have to fish on a boat. A Pontoon is an expence I can not afford right now so I have not yet decided on what to do because fishing is my only real passion.

    Roger

    :-)
    Roger, did a search.... what is a STOMA, i could not find anything.

    Enjoy your fishing, it's all about risk reward. if it's worth the reward then keep on keeping on. I am thrilled for you.

    john
  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #16
    rdbaughman said:

    Pelican Lake
    John,

    I have fished that lake many times, it's only about a 45 minute drive for me. Fishing season is here & I'm looking forward to the challange. My doctor highly advised me against going out on my fishing boat because of my STOMA. He told me I can go out on a Pontoon if I have to fish on a boat. A Pontoon is an expence I can not afford right now so I have not yet decided on what to do because fishing is my only real passion.

    Roger

    Is the Dr. afraid you'll fall
    overboard, or that a boat will capsize and you could drown...is that his reasoning for not fishing on a boat?

    Roger's stoma is the hole in his throat that he breathes and talks thru...

    p

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