Oral Cancer, surgery done..waiting for further treatment

Oh yes, lots of swelling and difficulty eating for weeks. Soft foods such as custard, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, cream of wheat, Ensure drinks, milkshakes, whatever works. I sipped on 7-Up and coffee or tea so hot or cold didn’t seem to matter.
Pain on the tongue as I recall took more than a year to resolve. Neck pain didn’t phase out completely for about seven years. But I have had many great experiences in life since cancer so don’t get discouraged.

Did you have pain in the ear on surgery side?

Yes for months. Mostly an itchy ear that one cannot scratch but sometimes it felt like an ice pick having its way with me.
The radiation really left issues with nerves for years actually. And I recall a simple sneeze was most traumatic often bringing tears.

Thank you! Everyone keeps saying its not related! Its good to have support. People act like its no big deal. I choke so easy and was given a mouth wash that caused swelling the size of a egg under chin and side of face! How long before pain in tongue subside. Thank you for listening helps me a lot!

Hello, my dad has a mic tube b/c of oral cancer reconstruction. He believes the excess mucus in his throat is because of GERD. The GI at Johns Hopkins said the manometry revealed a motility disorder and wants to inject botox in the LES. However, the swallow barium test shows no delayed esophageal emptying so, it seems like that's a contradiction. Correct? Also, how would relaxing the LES help with GERD if he is tube feeding? I don't think she has much experience with patients that have tubes.

Dad's daughter,
I no nothing about a mic tube. I am guessing the manometry was a test in and down his throat? I am 65, I had a swallow test done 4+ years ago, not the barium one, had that 100 years ago, useless. This one was useless too. I feel the doctors were just trying to shut me up. I had a 4 year long cough that nearly broke my ribs. They tried to diagnose me with GERD, sure I had an episode about 2x a year. The cough and the gagging mucus were terrible. For me, the answer was right in front of their nose (idiots). I had pSS- primary Sjögren's syndrome. It's so so much more than dry mouth, eyes and nose. But I got to learn all of this on my own. Back to the tube, mucus and Botox. Is the tube in 24/7? Is it down far enough, since you mentioned feeding tube.? I haven't had one, don't ever want one 😱, but I did have the nasal gastric tube shoved up my nose and down my throat, esophagus, clear into the small intestine...it was to prevent surgery for a small intestinal partial blockage and twists. In the ICU they X-rayed the placement 5+ x, initially, then a few more times for adjustments.
I think you have a valid point about all of this. I'm not afraid of Botox, I get them every 10 weeks, 25+- injections all around my head , neck, shoulders for refractory migraines, for 15+ years. But, I would be scared of Botox anywhere near my throat.
If your dad gets the tube out after feeding, I told you I know nothing about this... but I do know mucus. I tried so many different remedies. The final and best is gargling with a small amount of seltzer water, name brand is much better. When I first started I used too much water and churning up the carbonation in my throat....well you know what happens when you shake a can of soda and then open it...well it came forcefully spraying out of my mouth, so do it over the sink. I use a bit more of it now and I swallow a tiny bit of it before I spit it out. It has saved me from many excruciating coughing episodes that could last for 10-30 minutes each. I have no idea if this is of any help, but if you try it, I would love to know if it helps your dad. He is lucky to have you as his daughter. Good luck ShelleyW