Hello there. My Dad underwent a combined total laryngectomy, pharyngectomy, lymph node removal and radical neck dissection in March 2006. He still suffers from extreme pain down the sides of his cheeks, ears and neck which his surgeon can only put down to 'things' coming back to life (2 recent scans were clear of cancer). Has anyone else experienced this extensive surgery and suffered from continual pain post op? What I would like to know is, does the pain eventually subside? He has tried a couple of prescribed pain killers, but they seemed to make it worse or give him terrible headaches. The doc has to be careful what is prescribed as Dad is also on heart medication. It breaks my heart to see him like this after all he has gone through. Thank you so much for any advice you can give me.

Hi there.
I know excactly what you are going through. My dad has indergone numerous, painful surgeries. They took out his voice box. He can no longer breath through his nose or mouth. Cannot eat, has a stomach tube. He is in pain all the time and they have him on Morphine.They tried to do radiation and he is to far gone for them to help him. Radiation only helps for awhile. He is so doped up that. My mother insists on taking care of him at home and now she is starting to break down. He is fine during the day with the pain medication but at night he gets up several times with so much pain and all she can do is medicate him somemore. Its hard to see the man I considered my superman die slowly infront of me. He had throat and tongue cancer when I was 16 and he fought it and won. He retired last year and now is dying slowly and not able to enjoy his life and grand kids.

Hi Kelly
So sorry to hear of your dads suffering I know what you're going through. My dad had throat cancer in 1996 when I was only 16, fortuantely he susrvived and only had part of his voice box removed and therefore was able to talk as normal. However 20 years on and he was re-diagnosed with cancer in a gland in the neck. he has since had surgery and 6 weeks of intensive radiothery. He has suffered complications and we have come close to losin him twice in the past couple of weeks. He is currently nil by bothand being fed through a peg tube, his weight has plummeted from 175 pounds to 126 which is the weight of a slim woman. Like yourself it is just so awful to witness this happening to your dad. Take care, be strong, love Dee

Hi Kelly and Dee,
Sorry haven't replied before now. Thank you so much for your replies, it really moves me that people can be so kind even when they are going through the same hell. It's the being unable to help that is the worst thing, I wish I could wave a magic wand and make all these wonderful people better, but all we can do is try and support them. My Dad has had an appointment today (at home) with what they call a Palative Care Nurse, who is trained in sympton control for cancer patients, she was fabulous and has suggested that my Dad gets a prescription for Amytriptiline, which she said should stop the pain and allow him to sleep, I hope to God it works and will keep you posted on his progress with it (should be getting the pills tomorrow). I send my kindest regards to your respective Dads, and will pray for them, and every other sufferer.

Mandy

Hi Mandy
Hope your dad will feel better with this latest medication.
My dad is still the same, fortunately at home, every day I call, as i don't live by my parents but it's not the same as being able to pop round. I just keep praying and try to remain strong. I think the fact that I am training for the London marathon is actually helping as I've got something to focus on. crossing the finishing line is going to be emotional I think, as I find the whole experience emotional anyway, but this year I'm running for MCF, which is personal to me, so just thinking of dad and all the other suffers will keep me going.
Love to you and your family, keep your faith strong.
Dee x

Hi Dee, how fantastic that you are running for MCF, I wish you the best of luck with your training, the London Marathon is a huge feat to undertake. Since my last posting: the pills have no effect yet, although Dad has to increase the dosage weekly until he gets the correct level, so hopefully he will get there, will let you know. Hope your Dad is ok, my dad has gone down to 9st 4lb, so I know what you mean about the weight loss. Will carrying on praying for them, take care, will be thinking of you all, Mandy xx

Hi mandy
Nice to hear from you and thanks for your kind wishes for the marathon, nearly there now.
Your dad sounds very similar to mine, hope he will see sojme improvement everyday you hope so don't you.
Take care
Thinking of you
Dee

Hello there. As a laryngectomee of two years, and whose (unseccessful but good for five years) radiotherapy is a distant thing, I still remember the wonmderful help that Oramorph was with pain.
I just took a tbsp when I was in discomfort and it was a great great boon. I still have a half bottle of it at the back of the medicine chest.
I don't think my pain was as bad as your father's. But pretty nasty. I do hope it improves for him.
Rosalie (ishbel)

Hi Rosalie, thank you for this information and your kind thoughts, anything is certainly worth a shot, so I will tell my Dad about Oramorph. Can I presume that your pain eventually stopped then?
Best wishes, Mandy.