Alcohol

georgiasurfer
georgiasurfer Member Posts: 63 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Today was my husband's last radiation. When he asked the doc when he could have a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate rad oncologist said 'when hell freezes over'. Is that a joke? I mean once his sores are healed?  He's just a light drinker but does enjoy a beer on occasion.  What are y'all's experiences with this topic?

On a different note YAY, he made it but is totally exhausted and in pain.  Today he was prescribed pain patches. How long do they initially take to start working?

Thanks as always. 

Comments

  • MJG1
    MJG1 Member Posts: 137 Member
    #2
    Alcohol

    Georgiasurfer,

    Congratulations on the END.  I hear it's a couple more weeks till the radiation stops, but I hope for your husband that it's quicker.  We're still near the beginning and in week 6 of 16 weeks of treatment so radiation doesn't start for another 4 weeks.  Beer will definitely be a part of what my husband looks forward to.  His cancer is HPV Positive so it was not considered to be in the HPV Negative category which is linked to alcohol and smoking.  (Although my hubby used to also be a smoker.)  I wonder if your husband's cancer is HPV negative so the Doc thinks it would be dangerous for him to drink again??? I wish you both the best of everything as you get past this point in your lives.  Do you mind my asking...what have his side effects been with the radiation?

    Thanks, Margi Greene

    St. Charles, MO

  • georgiasurfer
    georgiasurfer Member Posts: 63 Member
    #3
    MJG1 said:

    Alcohol

    Georgiasurfer,

    Congratulations on the END.  I hear it's a couple more weeks till the radiation stops, but I hope for your husband that it's quicker.  We're still near the beginning and in week 6 of 16 weeks of treatment so radiation doesn't start for another 4 weeks.  Beer will definitely be a part of what my husband looks forward to.  His cancer is HPV Positive so it was not considered to be in the HPV Negative category which is linked to alcohol and smoking.  (Although my hubby used to also be a smoker.)  I wonder if your husband's cancer is HPV negative so the Doc thinks it would be dangerous for him to drink again??? I wish you both the best of everything as you get past this point in your lives.  Do you mind my asking...what have his side effects been with the radiation?

    Thanks, Margi Greene

    St. Charles, MO

    Side Effects

    His cancer is HPV negative but he has been having dysphasia issues for 8 years. This last dyspepsia spot turned out to be Stage 4a of check and upper jaw. Removed bone and a few teeth and he has a device (obturator) to plug hole in roof of mouth to sinus cavity.   He's never smoked and really is a light social drinker but hea been dreaming about a beer for weeks  it's almost Oktoberfest time  

    His main side effects are terrible trismus and some painful mouth sores and of course dry mouth. Lack of appetite and taste as well. Bye doesnt have a feeding tube and is down about 15 lbs total. He hasn't had the thick Mucuous so far. His skin is nice and tanned but not burned really. He lost all his facial hair on the radiated side and a baseball size of hair at his neckline on that side as well. 

    I wish your husband luck.  And you as well. It's no picnic for caregivers either.   We did it and so can y'all. ❤️

  • SylMarie
    SylMarie Member Posts: 91 Member
    edited September 2016 #4
    I have wondered about alcohol as well.

    GeorgiaSurfer, I am so glad you asked this question. I, too, have HPV-negative cancer. I smoked during final exams in college and graduate school (which ended in the late 1980s), what amounted to a pack over a couple of weeks. The docs tell me that doesn't even count as "former smoker." Also, like your husband, I have always been a light social drinker. I'd go so far as to say VERY light. This cancer thing (sounds like same general area as your husband's; as we have discussed, I also had a partial maxillectomy and have an obturator) came out of nowhere and now I'm wondering if I can ever enjoy a beer during a football game or a glass of wine, or an occasional vodka martini someday. The thought of taking ANY risk of a recurrence, or a cancer in another location, is terrifying.  

    I hope we hear from more members on this great question that you have asked. 

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #5
    Alcohol has been cited as

    Alcohol has been cited as being a cause/factor in oral cancer.  I would love to be able to smoke a cigarette too but I can't.  I am not totally convinced that smoking caused my cancer, but why risk it?  Your husband is an adult and as such, is free to make any choice he wants.  He's informed.

  • MJG1
    MJG1 Member Posts: 137 Member
    edited September 2016 #6
    Alcohol

    I think since it was HPV Negative that there is a high risk of return if smoking and or drinking takes place again, however, it's his choice and life is short. if i were him I'd have a beer if I wanted it.  Don't take my word for it, read medical studies or talk frankly with the Dr.  Thanks for sharing...My husband is getting a PET scan today followed by a CT scan so I hope he doesn't light up anywhere!!  Praying for him and all suffering from debilitating illnesses.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    edited September 2016 #7
    I don't see having a beer or two

    here and there, or a glass of sparling wine. as a problem at all...We've had people on her who have poured a beer or two down their tubes.  Folks who abuse alcohol do have higher rates of throat cancer, but they are the abusers, not the light social drinker.  Sometimes cancer is simply the luck of the draw, and nothing else.

    Your husbands Dr. is one of those that says no, absolutely not (till hell freezes over)....other Drs. will tell their patients sure...a beer or a glass of wine is fine...it just depends on the Dr.

    p

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    edited September 2016 #8
    finished, drink to that

    georgiasurfer,

    Congratulations on finishing, but hold off on boozing it up till hell freezes over, that is a long  time and if you are like most H&N members, our time card has been punched. 

    If you have crossed over to drinking (with ease) then I think you have showed up early for your new normal.

    Unless  the doctor has a valid reason not to drink, then cheers.

    The bigger picture is you are finished.

    Heal on!

    Matt

  • georgiasurfer
    georgiasurfer Member Posts: 63 Member
    edited September 2016 #9
    ENT Advice

    He actually saw his ENT today and asked the question. Doc said he could have alcohol but it probably would burn terribly right now. Also mentioned he may not enjoy it because of taste buds but he could absolutely enjoy alcohol in moderation. 

  • cardoza33
    cardoza33 Member Posts: 81
    edited September 2016 #10
    mine told me

    Mine told me 1 or 2 on special occasions.

     

  • MJG1
    MJG1 Member Posts: 137 Member
    #11
    georgiasurfer said:

    Side Effects

    His cancer is HPV negative but he has been having dysphasia issues for 8 years. This last dyspepsia spot turned out to be Stage 4a of check and upper jaw. Removed bone and a few teeth and he has a device (obturator) to plug hole in roof of mouth to sinus cavity.   He's never smoked and really is a light social drinker but hea been dreaming about a beer for weeks  it's almost Oktoberfest time  

    His main side effects are terrible trismus and some painful mouth sores and of course dry mouth. Lack of appetite and taste as well. Bye doesnt have a feeding tube and is down about 15 lbs total. He hasn't had the thick Mucuous so far. His skin is nice and tanned but not burned really. He lost all his facial hair on the radiated side and a baseball size of hair at his neckline on that side as well. 

    I wish your husband luck.  And you as well. It's no picnic for caregivers either.   We did it and so can y'all. ❤️

    Side effects

    Thanks for the info. georgisurfer.  I hope your husband heals well and enjoys that beer at an Oktoberfest!

    Margi

  • georgiasurfer
    georgiasurfer Member Posts: 63 Member
    edited October 2016 #12
    Football and Beer

    My husband had a couple beers watching college football last Saturday and even a couple raw oysters. I'm not even fussing about it. Life is too short to miss out on the fun stuff. 

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #13
    Finish

     

    Glad to hear the good news congratulations on getting it all behind you. Now it is time to start the healing process.

     

    If I remember there is an old thread here about radiation and alcohol, I will try and see if I can find it.

     

    Tim

     

  • Raddude
    Raddude Member Posts: 84
    #14
    I loved my wine

    and I still enjoy a glass or two with a good meal. But it took months before i could even tolerate it. It either burned my mouth or tasted like vinegar, lol. My understanding is the cause of the cancer, HPV or lifestyle?

  • georgiasurfer
    georgiasurfer Member Posts: 63 Member
    edited November 2016 #15
    Raddude said:

    I loved my wine

    and I still enjoy a glass or two with a good meal. But it took months before i could even tolerate it. It either burned my mouth or tasted like vinegar, lol. My understanding is the cause of the cancer, HPV or lifestyle?

    Unknown Cause

    His was not HPV+ and he's just a lite drinker. Has never had nicotine of any form in his body.  Doctors haven't a clue.  I know some totally avoid alcohol but if he wants a beer or 2 after everything hes been thru and makes him feel like a normal person and boost his spirits I'm all for it.  I'm happy to hear you enjoy some vino too!

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