Swallowing liquids after throat surgery and lymph node dissection

Another surgery? I feel so bad for you that you had to be chopped up again. You haven't had a chance to fully heal from your previous work. I will have to read a little more about NavDX as I thought that was the genetic test to confirm HPV16 but you already know the cancer was HPV16. Or do they suspect additional non-HPV16?
HPV16+ Squamous Cell Carcinoma is often very treatable without return. Unfortunately it's not 100% curable. I pray that is not the case for you. In the meantime you have to suffer through the difficulties of eating and swallowing. I'm sending a long distance hug in hopes that things get better for you quickly, that this is your year for cancer and it ends soon before the year is up, and that next year you get to live a good life again.
Things should improve as you heal. Don't worry what you sound like when you talk; at least you can talk. Eat a whole pie; it's soft and delicious and no one will judge you. You can say it's for swallowing exercises.
Do the docs think they got it all this time? What is the next phase or does that depend on the test results?

The surgeon got clean margins with the residual surgery. Cancerous tumor was in my right tonsil with metastasis in lymph nodes. Stage 2. The NavDx pre and post will determine if the HPV is still active. The teaching hospital that I am going to is a little behind the curve on using it but my dr has good faith in it. I am in NC and the test has to be read in Mass. so a little delay of about 7 days for results. He will recommend after that. I really would like to avoid radiation in my throat if possible.

If it comes to radiation, beg for proton rather than photon as the damage and side effects are often far less. Hopefully surgery and drugs will be the route. Pins and needles until the 14th I am sure. Good luck.

Wishing you a speedy recovery. I had (have) the same issues with liquids entering the nose. My speech therapist told me to lift my chin up when swallowing. It has gotten better now 4 months post treatment. I also had the weird sounding voice and it’s also better after doing exercises recommended by the speech therapist.

We had the NAVdx blood tests my husband's came back negative which is wonderful news. However, our doctors say yes NAVdx is beneficial but best administered before cancer /tumor mass removal. There's just so much going on during that time I don't know how that would've been possible. Very stressful time going through discovery, Surgery and biopsies Etc. Nevertheless, glad we went through it. Blessings to you and continued healing and recovery. 💕

Ah ha! I expect to referred to speech therapy too! I sound like I have a clothes pin on my nose!!

I have the results of the post NavDx and my number was zero. Dr said this has complicated my case because there were two malignant lymph nodes out of the 16 that were removed. I meet with an oncologist today to discuss what’s next. My Dr (surgeon) is in favor of radiation on my neck. Maybe a deescalated version. Another option is to continue to monitor with tests but I’m not too keen on the idea of a chance of going through another surgery down the road. My question is whether anyone out there has had this experience and what was the experience with radiation on the neck? How much damage and healing occurred?

I have completed 35 sessions of photon radiation this year on my neck and throat.
The healing process on my neck was no big deal. The healing process on my throat was a trial. The last 2 weeks of radiation and then post radiation a good month are hardest. I am now 4 months out and am recovering but still about 75% of my pre cancer fitness. I lost 40 plus pounds and eating is not enjoyable. All that said I am told every month will show more improvement. I think about post a year and I will be much improved from today.

I just finished 30 rounds of Proton radiation to neck and throat six weeks ago. Last couple of weeks into couple weeks after were the toughest. I managed to keep eating and drinking throughout but it was a real chore to say the least. As of today I can eat and drink pretty much anything I want. However I have no taste or appetite at all. I had TORS to remove base of tongue tumor and lymph nodes. The radiation was to “clean up” any remaining cancer cells. It was worth it for me. My latest NavDx showed 0 or non detectable

lilyann here. i was wondering if someone could help me as i seem to not be getting any better with this: tightness, squeezing, dog collar feeling around my neck ever since my surgeries starting the beginning of the year. yesterday, became very alarming for me as i gave more thought to this thick mucus in my throat which is hard to clear, swallow and gagging and burping and its just become so constant. one bite of food and i have to drink water right behind it and then hopefully that goes down. have not heard from any of my dr.'s since i had the barrium swallow on august 2. so glad to not to go to any dr. appts. the ENT dr. said my epiglottis was not covering my vocal chords, and could aspirate. so i am being as careful as i can. one good blessed thing....i can still breathe but have been wondering for how long if this mucus thing. coughing is a constant thing also, this however, i have been doing for years. i have dr.'s appt. come the beginning of october. the dentist appt. however is on sept 12, i am now wondering if i will be able to let someone clean my teeth. so many thoughts. i hate to bother the dr.'s as i was told that they need to clone their selves. so what does that tell you. i have read where some have those suction machines and i feel i might need one of those. heck, i don't know what i need. so many of you have been going through so much that i hate to present my problem but i know many of you can give me some answers to my question and rid my mind of so many thoughts. god bless all of you out there, you are in my prayers nightly.