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← Return to Post treatment for SCC tongue cancer following 7 weeks radiation
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Post treatment for SCC tongue cancer following 7 weeks radiation
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Feb 23 2:09pm | Replies (31)Comment receiving replies
Thanks for your input everyone. It helps to know that everyone is different with the outcome and healing. My husband is much improved today, but we are back at square one with him learning to eat again. Pureed foods, thickened liquids, small sips, and make sure he does the exercises along with swallowing the proper way with the left chin tuck, etc. So yes, 1 step forward and 2 back. It sucks and I pray that he can overcome this major setback and can get through this. As his sole caretaker, it's hard on me too. I cared for my dad until he passed in 2024, caring for my mom who is in assisted living and now my husband. Although I'm not a nurse, I have gained numerous nursing skills to assist everyone in my life, but I AM TIRED! I have a great support group for myself also and I am taking advantage of the time that he is in the hospital for R&R for myself. I appreciate everyone's thoughts.
Replies to "Thanks for your input everyone. It helps to know that everyone is different with the outcome..."
@sharooni
Please Google search “Stanford Health Care Head & Neck Oncology Speech & Swallowing Rehabilitation”…I used the prescribed exercises to strengthen my throat and neck muscles that was really helpful during & after my radiation treatment. Towards the end of my treatment period I did switch to a liquid diet for 7-10 days but otherwise was able to eat solid foods…and 14 days after radiation I ate steak and salad.
Hope that this information is helpful and wanted to share it with the community as something that worked for me.
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@sharooni Hello and Im glad you were able to hear from others that your husband's issues are similar and can improve. Because my radiation was aimed at my ear, I did not have swallowing problems like throat cancer. I had mucositis and the oral ulcers were very painful but by about 3 weeks after the end of radiation, there was a hint of improvement.
It sounds like your husband needs to do his swallowing exercises consistently and no one can do this for him. As a caregiver I found that my input was not always appreciated by my husband, but he listened better to the nurses, etc. Some men are like that. Reminders are all you can do.
It is good that you have a support system to help take care of you. When friends ask What can I do? you can ask for an hour or two where they could sit and visit with your husband so you can get out of the house. You must take care of yourself to be able to care for him. Keep on going and encourage him that it does get better as long as he follows directions. Be strong. You both can get through this.