Swollen salivary gland stopping rad tx for a few days

Vee1
Vee1 Member Posts: 59
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi All,

Dad has 10 rad tx left and we'd already been told there would probably be another break in treatment and it came today.  His right jaw line from his ear downwards is painful (last night a 10/10--he cried himself to sleep) with an eggsized knot.  Dr. thinks it's salivary gland infection and is treating with antibiotics.

Dad is simply exhausted.  Could barely put one foot in front of the other today.  And actually happy at the treatment break--so unlike last time.  I guess I was waiting for cancer/treatment to really "hit" and this may be it.  It's just that he has a pretty high pain threshold that for him to admit it was so painful (he gave a dislocated hip a 3/10), I know it has to be bad.  I see the "radiation brain" effect , too. 

I've been reading a lot about your entries related to gland questions, but this swelling/infection hasn't made it's way across my readings. Anyone else have it?

-V (and, as ever, my thoughts and prayers are of you all)

 

Comments

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #2
    No infection but....

    I had two...one on each side swell up and itch as bad as a bee sting....had they gotten even a little bit worse, they would have been painful.  I didn't bump into anyone else who went thru this either.  Hoping it is more a reaction to the rads, and not an infection....radiation could make them swell and hurt....

    I got stuck when I only had 10 left too....I wanted to get to the single digits SO bad, but got stuck for 5 days.....

    p

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
    saladenitis

    is the term.  Pretty common with radiation treatment, and after radiation treatment.  Any of the glands may be involved, but the parotids are the most common.  I have had perhaps 7 or 8 episodes since my radiation in 1998.  With some nothing but a minor inconvenience.  With others, I have been really quite sick.  The last time this happened I came close to needing hospitalized, finally responded to dual antibiotic therapy at home.  High fever, massive swelling.  Heck, I even had all the skin peel off my cheek over the affeccted gland.  It isn't any fun at all.  Just another big bump in the road.  He will survvive it, and finish treatment.

     

    best

     

    Pat

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #4
    Yes, Jim had a baseball size

    Yes, Jim had a baseball size swelling in the same area and had to be hospitalized to have interveneous anti biotics. It is probably the pain, not radiation brain causing his problem.  I pray this clears up quickly so treatment can resume.

     

     

     

     

     

    debbie

     

  • Vee1
    Vee1 Member Posts: 59
    #5
    longtermsurvivor said:

    saladenitis

    is the term.  Pretty common with radiation treatment, and after radiation treatment.  Any of the glands may be involved, but the parotids are the most common.  I have had perhaps 7 or 8 episodes since my radiation in 1998.  With some nothing but a minor inconvenience.  With others, I have been really quite sick.  The last time this happened I came close to needing hospitalized, finally responded to dual antibiotic therapy at home.  High fever, massive swelling.  Heck, I even had all the skin peel off my cheek over the affeccted gland.  It isn't any fun at all.  Just another big bump in the road.  He will survvive it, and finish treatment.

     

    best

     

    Pat

    spot on...

    Well, the inconvenience of a tx stop turned into an ER visit and hospitalization.  Dad was really convinced he was "on his way out" and that is just not the view he takes.  So, surgery seems not necessary at this point.  First CT negates abscess or tumor and his 104.5 temp has returned to normal.  Along with that the pain has decreased tremendously.  Triple IV antibiotics are helping.  Suction machine makes it easier and he is eating.  Boy, you really got it right about the swelling...what a horrible thing.

     

    I'll be sure to read him your responses.  Thank you all for writing.

    Blessings-

    V

  • Vee1
    Vee1 Member Posts: 59
    #6
    phrannie51 said:

    No infection but....

    I had two...one on each side swell up and itch as bad as a bee sting....had they gotten even a little bit worse, they would have been painful.  I didn't bump into anyone else who went thru this either.  Hoping it is more a reaction to the rads, and not an infection....radiation could make them swell and hurt....

    I got stuck when I only had 10 left too....I wanted to get to the single digits SO bad, but got stuck for 5 days.....

    p

    10 tx and counting

    Miss Phrannie,

    You are one of the most helpful angels on this site and I love you for it.  It's funny to tell Dad, "Phrannie had this" or "Phrannie said that..."  Your words and experiences are a god-send,

     

    Many thanks...

    -V

  • Vee1
    Vee1 Member Posts: 59
    #7
    jim and i said:

    Yes, Jim had a baseball size

    Yes, Jim had a baseball size swelling in the same area and had to be hospitalized to have interveneous anti biotics. It is probably the pain, not radiation brain causing his problem.  I pray this clears up quickly so treatment can resume.

     

     

     

     

     

    debbie

     

    It IS baseball sized!!!

    You'll never know how surprised I was to read this...my dad was the incredibly growing man.  In the AM it was about a half of a golf ball and in the ER it was a baseball...good night, what a sight.

     

    You are so nice to add dad to your prayers...blessings to you and Jim.

    -V

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #8
    Vee1 said:

    spot on...

    Well, the inconvenience of a tx stop turned into an ER visit and hospitalization.  Dad was really convinced he was "on his way out" and that is just not the view he takes.  So, surgery seems not necessary at this point.  First CT negates abscess or tumor and his 104.5 temp has returned to normal.  Along with that the pain has decreased tremendously.  Triple IV antibiotics are helping.  Suction machine makes it easier and he is eating.  Boy, you really got it right about the swelling...what a horrible thing.

     

    I'll be sure to read him your responses.  Thank you all for writing.

    Blessings-

    V

    Hi Vee

    tell him these infections also tend to be triggered when our already lousy saliva flow slows down even further, permitting bacteria to grow.  That happens more often if we are dehydrated.  I can trigger infection by forgetting to drink enough water when out working on a hot summer day and get a bit dry.  So drink, drink, drink.....

  • NJShore
    NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member
    #9
    Vee1 said:

    It IS baseball sized!!!

    You'll never know how surprised I was to read this...my dad was the incredibly growing man.  In the AM it was about a half of a golf ball and in the ER it was a baseball...good night, what a sight.

     

    You are so nice to add dad to your prayers...blessings to you and Jim.

    -V

    You are doing very well Vee!

    V,

    good to hear your dad is getting the attention and short break he needs! sounds like he is very strong, and let me add, so is his daughter!

    in my own experience, I have found the little surprises or "gifts" of the cure, seem enormous at times, and you are handliing them all very well.  Kudos to you!

    Kari

Discussion Boards