Coughing Following Tongue Surgery

Posted by rlbaker53 @rlbaker53, Apr 9 12:08pm

I had TORS on April 3rd to remove a tumor (P16+ SCC) on the base of my tongue. I developed a wet cough on April 4th, due I'm sure to the large volume of mucous secretion, and the cough is continuing. I'm able to cough up some phlegm, but the cough is mostly just hacking and is very tiring and I think it aggravates the swelling snd pain on my tongue. I'm also concerned about getting pneumonia. I will have my post-op visit today, and I'm sure I will get some answers, but I'm curious if others have had a similar cough and how they coped with it.

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roblem | @roblem | Apr 29 10:40am

In reply to @michael81 "Hi :-) You did well. The treatment protocal is hidious. But what's done is done. Many..." + (show)

Hope all is well. At 55, I am still an avid weightlifter since I started around age 14 as I was an athlete into my 40s. I got hooked back then and it has helped me tremendously.

Now, I am getting 4 weeks out from my surgery where they took a chunk out of my left forearm up almost to my elbow to become part of my new tongue, I got the ok to slowly ease back into it as it has been driving me crazy to not lift weights at my gym. I haven't missed 4 weeks in a row since 2008 with my first cancer. Just there is a portion that is numb yet on the left forearm and its uncomfortable to turn my wrist inward, but I will figure out what I can and can't do once I am there.

I hope I can still lift weights in my 80s that is awesome as I will never stop unless my joints give out.

Best,

Rob