I posted a Question on September 20th which was moved to the Introduction section and to date have not received any replies. I hope that my Message did not offend you all as being to formal. I have had more time to review stories and messages here and think its wonderful that you have a place to ask questions and seek support from each other. I hope you will allow me to become part of your group as I can use the help. This throat cancer is scary stuff.
Regards, Steven

Dear Steven,
I apologise on everyones behalf about the lapse on your part for not having responded. We are normally not this lazy - but at times......
Steven, I cannot say anything concrete on your medication and state as my cancer was in a totally different league - of the larynx. I am sure you will receive a reply to your query this time. Be rest assured on that score as everyone on this site are like family to each other and are always there for one another. Once you have been introduced you become a part of the gang in any case but as I said ....... people do get lazy at times (this message is for all my friends here who have not replied to Steven!!!).
We will remain in touch - you can rest assured on that score. You can read my story if you want. Its on the main page and is called Ananth' story.
Take care and until later,
Ananth

Hi Steven,a belated welcome. Too slack for my own good sometimes. Unfortunately I cant help with your query as I dont have that particular problem. Hagg.

Hi Steven,
Sorry from me too. I'm only back on the site myself but Hi. Sorry can't help with your specific question but I'm sure someone will pick up on it soon and help.
SusieR

Hi Steven,
Echoing everyones apology here.
The stringy saliva does get better! It just all takes time. Although i know Susana on here still suffers with the copious amounts.
It's frustrating there are no fast fixes!

All the best,
Michelle

Dear Steven - as I told you you are amid the most fascinating people in the world and will always be there to egg you on. We may not be aware of the cancer that has inflicted you but I am more then sure someone will come along who has and will be help you with some sincere advise.
All I can say is look and feel positive and enjoy your life as much as you can. Why worry about what has not happened so till such time comes around dont even bother about it and go live your life kingsize!(I lead it Emperor size!)
Will be in touch and hope you too keep in touch. With lots of warm regards,
Ananth.

Hello Steven

In case you missed it, please see my reply to your other post. Sometimes there is a delay if I am busy and the members missed seeing your post.

Best wishes
Vinod

Thank all of you for responding to me.
Ananth, I did read your story and have read many of your messages......needless to say you have a great sense of humour and I really do admire your courage. You also have a great attitude about your situation. I can honestly say that I too have always been a very active person and that I have done a lot in my 54 years on this planet to live life fully. Unfortunately, my treatment has caused me to become very depressed dealing with all of my limitations. In addition to my throat hurting and dealing with this thick saliva crap in my mouth, an extremely swollen neck, I have also been extremely fatigued with constant pain in my upper back and severe numness in my hands and feet. So basicly I have been disabled for the last 6 months after my Doctors all told me I would be up and running after 3 months. Prior to that I was an active civil trial lawyer who speciialized in doing jury trials, did triathlons including the World Championship Ironman in 1996 in Kona, Hawaii and traveled all over the world for pleasure. Left home when I was 17 to join the U.S. Marine Corp. and have been on my own basicly taking care of myself and my family ever since. My poor daughter lost her Mother to breast cancer in April of 1996. So being so limited in what I can now do and having others take care of me has been emotionally difficult to say the least. Obviously, after reading your story I realized that you have endured much more then I have and that things could be much worse at this time. With all your presently going through I thank you for taking the time to write me.
Dr. Joshi, Thank you for your reply. I had been taking that med and rinsing with baking soda and salt water which only makes my mouth feel better for a short time. I have started to use the mouth rinse more often since your reply suggests every 2 hours.
Hagg, Susie and Michelle your replies were likewise greatly appreciated.
I hope to stay in touch with all of you. Regards, Steven

Hi Steven and welcome to the forum.

For many people the issue with throat pain and mucous post treatment become so debilitating that they almost wish they had never had it!!
It is a nightmare,and there is no easy answer.
Every person who asks this question will get replies from fellow sufferers but i bet no two people find the same thing worked best for them.

Before Rob started his treatment i soaked up every available piece of information i could find.I shopped on line for dry mouth products,perfume free products for during radiation,got advice on sleeping positions,suction machines,humidifiers magic mouth washes,foods to avoid,but nothing could ever have prepared me for the horrific reality of the dreaded wall paper paste mucous and the pain at the back of his throat which eventually led to hoarsness and complete loss of his voice.
We were just glad he still had his peg tube in,or we wouldnt have managed.
Good nutrition and hydration are two of the key factors,in combating this beast and if you have a sore throat that must be hard for you.Also when the mucous is very thick eating is very unpleasant and difficult.

The debilitating nature of this disease on a previously strong,fit and healthy man is very depressing as it justs highlight what you percieve as your own bodies failings.
5 months isnt very long steve and if you need any help with the mucous and stuff e-mail me and i will guide you to the best info sites i found.

Dont loose heart just think of it as boot camp,- you just have to go through it to reach your objective.

love liz

Hi Steven,
I am glad you are more comfortable here with us now. Off to become a Marine at the age of 17! A shark as a career... ( thats what they call all lawyers- right? & triathlons including the World Championship Ironman - boy!!Just to have achieved all that is enough to make any other guy feel really small. I can understand how you must have felt about your wifes passing away and putting you into shoes of being both Dad and Mum to your daughter. I am sure though keeping your background in view, you must have gone one great job and everyone must be proud of you.
I used to be in awe of my father who was in the Airborne red berets in the Indian Army and it was his life which he expected me to continue with. He retired at the age of 56 but he just could not adjust himself to the civilian way of life and that let to one massive heart attack and he passed away in 1991. He was a Brig.General.I prefered the good life much to his disdain! I too left home at the age of 17 but under other circumstances and to get some good higher education. My youngest brother was the only one who carried on the tradition and is also in the commandos (I think they are on par with you Marines). He is posted in the valley (Kashmir) at the moment and is a lt. Col.
I find it extremely strange when we are together and he keeps getting saluted by every other person in uniform as I look at him as a kid even though he is now a mature married guy with two daughters).
As regarding my story - I never actually gave Cancer its due importance until it was too late. It was that period that I went through hell and hit rock bottom. Today its made me tougher as I take risks and do things which I would have thought over a million times over before doing them pre cancer. The way I was stonewalled took its toll but I guess all the rigours of belonging to an army background did make me tough enough to take things in my stride.
I know for sure one thing that my Dad would have been proud of my achievements had he been alive today and guess would understand why I made the choice.
Keep writing in Steven as its great to hear from you even though I dont know a thing about the cancer you are going through. However, I know one thing Marines have never given up and are supposed to be the elite of the best . You are carrying that burden as well (being the elite of te best)and am sure you will be back to being the good tough Steven in a matter of time. I am really feeling proud that we have begun talking though we have never met.
Take care Steven - you can beat anything and thats that.We are always around to give you that support whenever you require it or take a yelling should you feel anger or any other feeling.

With warmest of regards and in total awe!
Ananth

Annath,
You really are a nice person to take the time to respond to my message in such great detail. Thanks for the compliments too. I look forward to staying in touch with you.
Fondly, Steven

Dear Steve,
I know you are ex one of the elites ( now or later - Marines are always elite!) and crazily I was watching a reasonably old movie called "Navy Seals" (Charlie Sheen). Though I understand its two seperate kinds of toughies - I thought of you.
One thing though - I have never understood why does all things happen to the Americans. The aliens come around only to the US? All the worlds disasters hit the US? The special forces go into South American countries to destroy the war lords! Why leave the rest of the world out of all the fun?? Just kidding!!

You know know Steven - if there is one small (very small) regret I have in my life was not having joined the army. I had cleared all my exams and was to report to the Academy ( like your West Point) and a year later pass out as a Captain. I had also opted for the arm - which was the Armoured Corps. but along with the Commando full scale course - which would have given me my red beret and my wing. Well - life had other plans.

Steven - you take care buddy and do not let anything let you down. I think you have fought more then enough then to let some small little thing called cancer to pull you down!!!! - RIGHT????

lOVE,
ANANTH