Kinda Worried

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Pumakitty
Pumakitty Member Posts: 652
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi,

My dad is a little over a year out of treatment and he told me yesterday his has a place on his tongue. When he showed me it appears to be a cut with a small red looking bump. My dad has no teeth and has been eating Ritz crackers and using that side of his tongue to break them up. He also eats at least on large tomato a day. He started using the baking soda/salt solution and said this morning it is already feeling better. He does have a very dry mouth and still mucus issues.

My question is for those of you out of treatment for a year, do you still get sores and cuts on your tongue if you eat something like this. He just had his one year check two weeks ago and the doctor said everything looked great.

I think I will give him till Wednesday to see what is going on and then get an appointment. Just wanted to know what you guys think.


Kathy

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  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #2
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    Simple Things Become Complicated
    Man - four years ago, neither one of you would have thought twice about that spot on his tongue. Sorry to have no useful info for you. I have my own "area of concern" on my jaw, and know that four years ago, I would have just been irritated that I had some kind of infection that formed a knot and didn't respond to well to antibiotics. Since I'm in this club, though, I'm wondering.

    I can see your dad irritating a scratch by rubbing salt from crackers on it, and acid from tomatoes. Has he eating anything that could "cut" his tongue, like tortilla chips? Is the bump on the side of his tongue, or thetop? I recently read someone else's post about an irritated tast bud swelling up.

    Hope that by Wednesday, it's a moot point, and the spot has faded.
  • Pumakitty
    Pumakitty Member Posts: 652
    #3
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    Pam M said:

    Simple Things Become Complicated
    Man - four years ago, neither one of you would have thought twice about that spot on his tongue. Sorry to have no useful info for you. I have my own "area of concern" on my jaw, and know that four years ago, I would have just been irritated that I had some kind of infection that formed a knot and didn't respond to well to antibiotics. Since I'm in this club, though, I'm wondering.

    I can see your dad irritating a scratch by rubbing salt from crackers on it, and acid from tomatoes. Has he eating anything that could "cut" his tongue, like tortilla chips? Is the bump on the side of his tongue, or thetop? I recently read someone else's post about an irritated tast bud swelling up.

    Hope that by Wednesday, it's a moot point, and the spot has faded.

    Side of tongue
    The cut is on the top of the tongue and goes down the side and the bump is on the side. I just checked in with him and he still says it is feeling better. I hope your jaw issue get better. You are right how things that in the past would have been nothing now can cause a major panic attack. I will let you know what happens.

    Katt
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #4
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    Irritants
    I'm sure that the Ritz and especially the acid in the tomato could be irritatiing the spot at the moment. But it never hurts to follow-up with your ENT if it continues to persist.

    My ENT is awesome and always reassures me that he'd rather see me proactive instead of reactive.

    Best,
    John
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #5
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    Skiffin16 said:

    Irritants
    I'm sure that the Ritz and especially the acid in the tomato could be irritatiing the spot at the moment. But it never hurts to follow-up with your ENT if it continues to persist.

    My ENT is awesome and always reassures me that he'd rather see me proactive instead of reactive.

    Best,
    John

    Crackers and tomatoes, are
    Crackers and tomatoes, are definitely, not easy on the tongue. I would lay off both and see if it goes away in a week, if it persists for two weeks then I would call the doctor. Crackers are sharp, and tomatoes are so full of acid! When I did tomatoes the last time, it aggrivated my tongue. I have done tomatoes before, and the canned didn't taste that great and were kind of burny. Had to add cream and butter to eat. I tried the fresh, and they tasted better, didn't seem to hurt or burn while eating, but left a sore and a bump.
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #6
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    sweetblood22 said:

    Crackers and tomatoes, are
    Crackers and tomatoes, are definitely, not easy on the tongue. I would lay off both and see if it goes away in a week, if it persists for two weeks then I would call the doctor. Crackers are sharp, and tomatoes are so full of acid! When I did tomatoes the last time, it aggrivated my tongue. I have done tomatoes before, and the canned didn't taste that great and were kind of burny. Had to add cream and butter to eat. I tried the fresh, and they tasted better, didn't seem to hurt or burn while eating, but left a sore and a bump.

    Kathy
    You might wanna check the sides of his gums for any abnormalities (like part of a root left behind that protrudes out of the gum) that could cause an irritation. I do have teeth, and eat most anything, which is what I blame my continued tongue sensitivity to. I do have a couple small bumps that I've been watching for several months, and they are NOT growing, as tumorous bumps would. Any signs of a worsening condition- get the man to his Dr.

    kcass
  • Pumakitty
    Pumakitty Member Posts: 652
    #7
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    Thank guys
    I checked today and it looks much better. He says the burning irratation is almost gone. I will keep a watch on it this week and see what happens.

    Love ya guys,

    Kathy
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #8
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    Pumakitty said:

    Thank guys
    I checked today and it looks much better. He says the burning irratation is almost gone. I will keep a watch on it this week and see what happens.

    Love ya guys,

    Kathy

    Well that's good to read.
    Glad that it looks much better.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #9
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    Pumakitty said:

    Thank guys
    I checked today and it looks much better. He says the burning irratation is almost gone. I will keep a watch on it this week and see what happens.

    Love ya guys,

    Kathy

    No Crackers or Tomatos
    At least until he heals up.... :)

    Best,
    John

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