Hard Palate Cancer

Oh, Kritter, I am so sorry you have to go through this again! There have been some new drugs approved in the last few months so hopefully you'll have a better outcome. I will pray that your pain is managed, your stomach cooperates, and you'll get a real NED this time around.

I am sorry to hear this but don’t you give up, you are a fighter and you will fight it till the end. Last year about this time I had was the doctors were calling Narcotic, it is some kind of flesh eating bug and there was nothing they could do to stop it. By the time is finished I ended up with a 2 inch hole in my soft palate that I can now see the back of the sinus wall in my head. The bad news it is trying to start up again, what I did last time that I believe stopped it was to use raw honey on it and that is what I am doing again. I do a nasal rinse using local raw honey then I use a Q tip with a long handle I made to put the honey right on the spot. So far it has not gotten any larger but the area is still reddish looking.

You might want to have your doctor double check to see if it is cancer or Narcotic.

I am praying for you.

Tim

So sorry to hear this.  You'll be in my prayers.

Lorna

Kritter said:

Palate Cancer Update

Thank you ! for all the kind words.

I am feeling much better today after the ENT explained the procedure. The problem right now is finding a dentist that is qualified to do the surgery. They are actively looking.

It seems I need a special denture plate made with a thicker layer to it to come up to meet my palate. And minor surgery to clean out the hole and fix bone further up in nose. 

If they can eliminate the cancer and can't find a dentist I need I may be able to live with the teeth I have if I get a tighter fit and they give me back lower dentures. So there are possibilities. I am not giving up hope. As I learn more I will post so it may help others who may be facing this issue.

Hondo thank you for the tip, I have some raw honey on hand and can get some more if I need it, certainly won’t hurt to try it and it tastes good too. I believe we are both in Louisiana. I am close to the Lake Charles area. I will ask the Doctors about what you have posted on the info. 

Phrannie I am not on Facebook but I have a nephew that is that lives close to me and cares for me I will talk with him. The info would be greatly appreciated as at times I think the Doctors are even stumped dealing with the cancer I have, it is very rare I am told, but not * unbeatable* ! 

I am just doing the Taxotere Chemo, trying to eat more, gain weight and waiting until they can find someone to help me. 

Prayers and hugs ! Kritter

So sorry to read this but it sounds like there is plenty of optomism for you. Last year I had a combo of taxol/erbitux. Not sure if Taxol is the same as Taxotere, but, if it is, I can say that it was much easier on me than the cisplatin was back in 2011. MUCH easier...I hope the same for you. 

Stay strong! You will be in my prayers.

Candi

Hi. I am so sorry to hear that you have to do the battle again.   I am 3 years out from tonsil cancer and I see that you are looking for a dentist.  I live in Houston and my Dr's recommended that I remove all teeth prior to treatment.  I was distraught and finally one of the Oral surgeons sent me to Dr. Marruffo for a second opinion.  She did her internship at MD Anderson and has a lot of experience with cancer patients.  I met with her and I truly believe that she was the main reason that I came through this difficult treatment whole.  She taught me more about head and neck cancer than my other Dr's.  I remember her telling me about making a prothesis for a women who had cancer that made a hole in her palate so she could eat.  I am thinking that this may be the type of prothesis that you need?  If so, I know she can make this.  I cannot recommend her highly enough.  I am not sure where you are located in Louisiana but Houston may not be that far away for you.  Her info is below.    If you want to contact me personally fro any questions,  send me an email to texasexodus@yahoo.com and we can exchange numbers.   My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Lori

Thennies61 just posted about getting a denture for the top that is thicker to keep food from going up into his nasal caviety....so obviously he has found a dentist.

http://csn.cancer.org/node/294750

I have heard of many people getting the obturator that Andrew mentions, also.....Oh yes, Miss Kit.....this is doable....you're gonna kick some butt now....I can feel it!!

p

Kritter said:

Phrannie

Thank you for the link. Interesting that I let things scare me now that wouldn't have normally done so in the past. 

I have decided to get off my tush and fight. No more wondering if I am going to be okay, just going to live my new life. 

Getting rid of the cancer and if things are working now, let them work. I have no trouble with the hole as my top upper plate fits tight enough to allow no issues. So maybe I won't need more surgery or new teeth. If it is working, why mess with it my hubby says. 

Thank again... Prayers and hugs!

Hi, I just had surgery, I have sinus cancer which they removed half of my palate, all my nasal passage, all my teeth, most of the inside of the right side of my mouth, my upper lip, the left side of my nose and 91 lymphnodes. Instead of the orbarator, they used a piece of skin from my leg to make a flap that will replaces my palate. My mouth is air tight so no leakage which is great. I would ask about the flap if surgery is involved.