no never smoked,chewed or had herpies virus but he has been a fireman for 30 years so I guess he has eaten allot of smoke., and exposed to allot of other heebie geebies.

The person I am a caregiver for has small cell lung cancer, and has endured many radiation treatments over the past few years. A severe case of mucositis developed and we treated it with Gelclair. It worked reasonably well for a little while, although over time it didn't seem to be working anymore. Recently, after taking this over with my doctor, he prescribed a product called MuGard, which is an easy to use, ready made (no mixing) mouth rinse and we saw immediate results. The mucositis cleared up enough to the point where we could get back to normal (not really Normal, but you know what I mean) feeding habits and no longer needed the feeding tube. Its not completely gone, but the swelling & pain have subsided tremendously.

Best of luck with your treatment!

I was reading about MuGard as an easy to use rinse for mucositis sores. Has anyone else tried it or heard about it yet??

Hi, My Mom (Bobbie) finished her radiation treatment on Sept.4,2010. She went for 7 wks. 1X5 days M-F. She had a boost of radiation on her last 3 visits, my Mom is having a very slow recovery. She still can not eat solids or mashed up foods they seem to get stuck in her throat, she is always dry and drinks water but nothing is helping her. At times when she swollows she chokes and it comes right back up. She has alot of mucus as well. She has tried alot of suggestions from her Dr.s and nurses with no avail. Any suggestions. and thank you for listening. linda

Hi ,is there anyone still active in this group that has been recovered for awhile that maybe can help support me as my husband prepares for 35 radiation treatments with three chemo's added ( full day treatment ),one in the beginning of radiation and another midway then one last one at the end of the 35 radiation treatments . Thank you and I truly look forward to hearing your story . I really need the support ,I am terrified right now because things are happening so fast .He has cancer of the vocal cord .

Hi Queenie, I'm new here but I'm a survivor of tonsil cancer that had advanced to the lymph glands. I was diagnosed in June of 2005 as a stage 4b. My only shot was to get hit with it all. Four 8 weeks I had 7 rounds of chemo, 35 hi dose radiation treatments and a test drug, Erbitux, also known as Cextuximab. I went from basically terminal to being pronounced cured this last August. Have faith because since I went into treatment, they have made a ton of new advances in this field. I know it's hard not to be scared but I hope after reading this you are a little less scared. :)

Hi Linda, Tell your mom to just keep trying. Eventually she'll be able to eat better and taste more. I still choke occasionally, it's because of scar tissue in my throat. I have to really, really chew my food before I try to swallow it. Also, Biotene makes a product called Oral Balance. That's what works better for me than anything else for the drymouth. You can get it at any drug store. Maybe her dentist has some samples, too. :)

Thank you Chudley ,thats comforting news ,I have been terrified lately . I am here trying to learn as much as I can before it all begins soon .They found one more spot on his tongue they want to biopsy so its all been postponed one more week . A true survior you are ,I cant imagine how you felt in the beginning ,we have been roughly told stage two people may live five more years ,its all so confusing ,60 % survival , ??? Its comforting to have someone thats been there done that and still here to tell it ,congradulations and many more b-days to you . Queenie

Queenie. I'm not that active on the support group much lately. But you can e mail me through the group if you like. I had stage 4 tonsil carcinoma that spread to the lymph nodes just like Chudley. I also had 35 rounds of rad. and 3 chemo so it sounds like our treatments are similar. I've got some old posts still floating around this site that describes what I went through. I was told that my chances of survival for 5 years was 70%. At first I thought that the best I could hope for was 5 years. I am now under the impression that after you are cancer free for 5 years you beat it. Anyways thats what I believe. As for your fear, take heart. I know that my wife was way more worried than I ever was. Maybe I took comfort in my stubborn refusal to let it beat me. George Karl, the coach of the Denver Nuggets NBA basketball team is recovering from throat cancer and his wife posted a blog on his progress thoughout the treatment. The similarities to my treatment were spot on. I think if you google it you can find it and get an idea of what to expect. Best of luck!

Also had radiation on my neck for the tonsil cancer 5 days a week for 7 weeks...wound up with horrible facial burns & my throat has craters in it from the scarring which still cause problems swallowing....now, 2 years after still have partial dry mouth & altered taste senses. Also lost function of my thyroid, so am on meds now for that & lots of neck pains.,,,which I have pain meds for.

While my cancer is compeltely gone, I've wondered about these pains, which, at times, scare me that the cancer has returned BUT just got the latest issue of CURE, a magazine sent to me quarterly, that had a great article about the after effects of radiation years down the road. Seems my neck pains are not just figments of my imagination....radiation can cause them because of, again, scarring caused by the radiation. The thing I am most worried about right now is that they brought up the fact that the dead cells sloughing off from the cancer can clog the arteries in your neck....that scares me & I guess I'll have to talk to my oncologist about this when I see him in Feb.

Take care everyone, this is a rough road to hoe, but it is survivable. A good attitude towards treatment was found to be one of the biggest assets I had going for me. Both my psychiatrist & oncologists said this & seems to hold true.

ckn , I am praying for a new wonderful year for you ,thank you for sharing ! Congradulations on your great attitude going into this ,I stress this to my husband everyday ,its the best healer going from what I have learned thus far . I also want to thank everyone again for sharing your stories and wish you a very happy and healthy new year !!!!! Queenie (wife of a cancer patient )

Hello. I had surgery and then radiotherapy. I don't mean to bring anyone down, but I am surprise/relieved that noone shares the decay I have encountered, and folk have asked for information. I share all the dryness and mucus that are described. In addition the radiotherapy has caused severe dmage to my jaw. A hole appeared in my neck so anything I tried to swallow (in itself difficult) came out down my neck. Later on bits of bone came out my neck also. Apparently this can only get worse and worse (the hole is not going to heal up). I cannot regain any kind of proper speech or swallow at all.
I am so sopleased that this is not comon. I am impressed by how much information people have been given, before and during. I felt I was almost deceived, no warning at all of the worst (which happened) and assurances that abilitie would return (that didn't). I don;t know if it make a difference that I amin the UK and most.all others in the US?
My very best wishes to you all, it is good to know the radiation doesn't destroy most recepients.

I'm so sorry to hear your treatment was so harsh. Can you do the hyperberic chamber to help heal your skin and bones?