Is he cooking too long?

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KareGiver
KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Hi all. My husband has been feeling really good and getting his energy back. Last rad was June 7 and PEG has "left the building" so he is eating on his own. The first scan is scheduled for August 1...however, his throat really is still quite sore when he swallows. His ears were bothering him but that does seem to be letting up. His throat didn't get sore until a few weeks AFTER the last rad so maybe he's a "late bloomer." Should we call the docs about this or just be patient until the beginning of August? Thanks for all of your words of wisdom!

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  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
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    Optional
    Seeing your ENT or MD is (or should always be an option when in doubt)....

    But I don't really think it's too long to still be feeling the effects of the rads. It's a long slow process and eveyone is different. But if it's something that he's having anxiety about go see the MD's.

    JG
  • Irishgypsie
    Irishgypsie Member Posts: 333
    #3
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    Skiffin16 said:

    Optional
    Seeing your ENT or MD is (or should always be an option when in doubt)....

    But I don't really think it's too long to still be feeling the effects of the rads. It's a long slow process and eveyone is different. But if it's something that he's having anxiety about go see the MD's.

    JG

    3 months!
    I wouldn't worry, I had pain in one spot until about 3 months out! Everyone is different!
    Charles
  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #4
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    Can't
    I can't say it's normal as we have not seen nor are doctor's. To me, it is only 6 weeks post treatment, eating better at this point than many others at this time table. Radiation continues to work and many can argue how long, I have felt it to be somewhere between 6-9 weeks. My throat hurt for what seems like forever and for sure over a year post treatment. Now as a double digit survivor there are many times it hurts to swallow and that effects the ears for pain.

    I do not believe that that cancer grows or comes back with in 3-4 months post treatment. I sure do not recall any but then I have what I call "RadMo" loss of memory due to radiation and chemo. If it was getting worse I would be calling the doc for certain.

    I love the status he is at, prayers for continued great post for his status.

    John
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    #5
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    fisrpotpe said:

    Can't
    I can't say it's normal as we have not seen nor are doctor's. To me, it is only 6 weeks post treatment, eating better at this point than many others at this time table. Radiation continues to work and many can argue how long, I have felt it to be somewhere between 6-9 weeks. My throat hurt for what seems like forever and for sure over a year post treatment. Now as a double digit survivor there are many times it hurts to swallow and that effects the ears for pain.

    I do not believe that that cancer grows or comes back with in 3-4 months post treatment. I sure do not recall any but then I have what I call "RadMo" loss of memory due to radiation and chemo. If it was getting worse I would be calling the doc for certain.

    I love the status he is at, prayers for continued great post for his status.

    John

    Gentlemen,
    Thanks for the comments and reassurance!
  • waywest
    waywest Member Posts: 44
    #6
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    cooking too long:-)
    Hi Karegiver,
    My husband completed 35 days of radiation & 3 rounds of chemo 3 mmonths ago. The Radiologist advised us that the effects of the radiation would continue and even intensify for at least 2 weeks following the last treatment. That was true, however, the healing process kicked in about a month post treatment. Not to be negative but it seems a long journey with new side effects manifesting and then subsiding on a regular basis.
    It's remarkable that your husband is able to eat so soon after treatment.
    My husband also had recurring ear pain, tongue pain, depending on which day of the week it was. Those symptoms seem to be subsiding now although not altogether gone. His taste and saliva are also returning although hardly full-tilt boogie:-)
    Our expectations for recovery turned out to be WAY unrealistic so you must be patient knowing that each week will be better than the last.

    Waywest
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #7
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    Still good to check in
    The symptoms may be normal but I'd still have the ENT look at him - it could be thrush or some kind of non-healed lesion that needs attention.

    My daughter was just comparing sunburns with her boyfriend - they were both out the same amount of time this weekend, but her burn showed up right away and is fading while his is just peaking and he is pretty uncomfortable. Different flesh cooks at different speeds.
  • KareGiver
    KareGiver Member Posts: 301 Member
    #8
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    DrMary said:

    Still good to check in
    The symptoms may be normal but I'd still have the ENT look at him - it could be thrush or some kind of non-healed lesion that needs attention.

    My daughter was just comparing sunburns with her boyfriend - they were both out the same amount of time this weekend, but her burn showed up right away and is fading while his is just peaking and he is pretty uncomfortable. Different flesh cooks at different speeds.

    Dear Waywest and Dr. Mary...
    Thank you for the kind words. In most ways, I feel my husband is doing so well that I hesitate to post at times. Truly, the blood clots to the lungs - very serious, of course (Dr. Mary, you know!) so far have been the worst to deal with. Believe me, I warned him about everything I have read! He is less than two weeks from his scans and symptoms are not unbearable. Actually, I am somewhat relieved he is having these symptoms because of the "relative ease" (relative ease being used very loosely here) he had during treatment. We will definitely bring them up at the appointment...which, of course, we are both nervous about. He is a man of few words but was - and is - very happy that I am NOT a woman of few words and have received advice and kindness from the wonderful folks on this website. Thanks to ALL of you!

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