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Tongue cancer
In Nov 2025 I had tongue surgery for adencarcinoma of the Tongue. Three weeks ago completed 30 Radiation sessions. Tongue still hurts, but glad the feeding tube and trach have been out for months. Next week I will start Lymphedemia Therapy for neck (it hurts) and lower jaw. But I have slight pain, disconfort in upper chest and left shoulder that I attribute to Radiation Therapy. Who else experienced this.???
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Welcome to the club no one wants to join. Tongue cancer....notice how everyone's face changes when you say those words?
It gets better and so will you. Lots of great folks here who have been down this path. I had my cancer surgery/reconstruction and neck dissection in Oct. 23 and radiation/ chemo Dec/Jan 24.
So you're ready to manage your lymphedema. Learning that and practicing the self massage every day really helped me with healing and reducing my pain. Even now 2 years out I still have to keep on top of it. A few times it got the better of me and my surgeon prescribed massage therapy by an OT. So my recommendation is, if you need help ask for it.
I also wear a face compression wrap to reduce inflammation. It really feels good to keep the swelling down. Now I only wear it at night but it keeps my mouth closed so it helps with dry mouth.
Take care and be good to yourself.
@sandy8043 Thank you--Sandy. Now I know what to expect over the next 2 or 3 years. Still wondering if beyond neck--- Lymphedema can spead to upper chest area (but not shoulders) where I have disconfort and tightness. I was thinking that dry-mouth would correct itself over the next year or two, but that is to be seen. I was not aware of face compression wrap, will look into it
@jabby1
My Onco said I had to wait a year (post tx) to see a MLD Specialist HNC.
SLP recommended Cancer RehabPT online exercises, which I still do today.
Water drinking & exercises especially swimming does wonders for lymphedema.
Lymphedema is alot better since 3 yrs out NED.
@zenren14 Good feedback: swimming. I will need to go back to the "Y' and restart my swimming that I stopped several months ago.