1. < Head & Neck Cancer

Swallowing liquids after throat surgery and lymph node dissection

Posted by slmoore0626 @slmoore0626, Aug 9, 2023

I had a second surgery three weeks ago to remove residual tonsil cancer and to remove two lymph nodes. I am struggling to swallow liquids. They often (if I look down) drain out of my nose. I can swallow soft foods much better. Also some issues with speech. I sound like I have a clothes pin on my nose. Does this lessen in degree with more healing?
Also have had a pre NavDx test ( my cancer is HPV16) and am having a post test on Aug 14. Anyone have experience with the NavDx? Or data that supports its accuracy?

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Mentor
William Olsen, Volunteer Mentor | @hrhwilliam | Sep 2, 2023
In reply to @lilyann "lilyann here. i was wondering if someone could help me as i seem to not be..." + (show)
@lilyann

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.

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Hi @lilyann, try staying with foods you can swallow for now. Healing will take months to years. Continue with neck and swallow exercises. Don’t hesitate to message your ENT and other doctors.

REPLY
1 reply
lilyann | @lilyann | Sep 7, 2023

lilyann here. i was wondering if the botox injections would help in the swallowing where you do not have to worry about aspiration. i can only eat small amounts of food at a time as it seems to want to come back up with burping and gurgling. i am waiting on the ENT to tell me the results of the modified barium swallow test. its been over a month and i just yesterday contacted all the dr.'s included in my care. wishing the best for everyone.

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7881188 | @7881188 | Sep 16, 2023

Has anyone, after radiation, found that their epiglottis is damaged? My husband’s is, and he has a very difficult time trying to drink or eat as he has had a feeding tube for six months! He is wondering if anyone has had the epiglottis repaired through surgery. He has an appt. with a surgeon in about three weeks…

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ltecato | @ltecato | Sep 17, 2023

I think my epiglottis was damaged by radiation, but it took about 30 years for the dysphagia to become a problem. I have had two procedures to widen my esophagus. The last surgeon told me that additional surgeries would not help me. I had a feeding tube for a couple years and didn’t like it. I take antibiotics every day to prevent infections.
I hope some surgeon can help your husband.

REPLY
lilyann | @lilyann | Sep 18, 2023
In reply to @hrhwilliam "Hi @lilyann, try staying with foods you can swallow for now. Healing will take months to..." + (show)
@hrhwilliam

Hi @lilyann, try staying with foods you can swallow for now. Healing will take months to years. Continue with neck and swallow exercises. Don’t hesitate to message your ENT and other doctors.

Jump to this post

hi william, lilyann here. i have tried contacting my dr.'s as you said to do. i haven't heard from the surgeons office. the ENT, their office said they know nothing about my barium swallow test and asked where did i have it done at, so i could not get a report from them. my regular dr., i asker her how the test results came out and she said i have to contact who sent me for the test. my endocrinologist was sweet, she said she hoped the test came back positive. oh, but the bill from the ENT wants to be paid now. that test was done on aug 2nd. so i feel like the story about the car sales man, they really don't want any more to do with you after the sale of the surgery. oh, i guess too that's because i am an octogenarian with an aggressive papillary carcinoma. thanks for letting me vent william. i can hardly swallow my own spit without coughing and burping. i so agree with everyone too about the liquids being the hardest. the ENT said that my epiglottis was not covering the vocal chords. this was not the situation before the surgeries or radioactive iodine 131. wishing the best for everyone.

REPLY
7881188 | @7881188 | Sep 20, 2023

Has anyone actually had surgery to repair the epiglottis? My husband will be seeing an ENT surgeon regarding this…

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