Hi Lynn, My heart goes out to you. Oh my goodness, you’re going through a horrible experience with this cancer journey. I’m sorry the surgery wasn’t successful.
With your Trismus, was this associated with your surgery? Because I do know it can be exacerbated with chemo and often there are some PT exercises implemented pre-treatment, which helps avoid this form of lockjaw.
Have you been given any physical therapy treatments, exercises or muscle relaxants. Though I’m sure if you can’t open at all taking any medications is a challenge. I can understand your fear of vomiting.

This has to be incredibly stressful but you are doing a good job of keeping your self together. I’m trying not use the words courageous and strong because I’ve been on the cancer side of life. And at the time I didn’t feel brave or strong…just got through one day at a time. So I know you’re doing the same thing. But truly, this is the most courageous thing you’ll ever get through…and you will, one day, hour or minute at a time.
Your trach wound care is a concern. Have you talked to your cancer team about what is the best and least painful way to cleanse the area and promote healing?
I wonder if you can put some padding under the strap?

Lynn, there is a group dedicated to head and neck cancer. https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/head-neck-cancer/
In this group, there are others such as @alpaca @popeyegurl @msherfinski @arismac @deborahe @jeffk @phinken @loli @karly who have had laryngeal cancer or other head and neck cancer that required a tracheotomy and/or feeding tube. They can offer some tips and support for the issues you are facing with your trach and your upcoming radiation treatment.
You can tap on each name and it will take you to a post they’ve made where you can reply to them or to their profile page.

Are you doing ok with the Peg tube?

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