Hi Everyone. My name is Joy and I'm glad that I found this discussion board.

My father was diagnosed with oral cancer in March, 4 days before his 75th birthday. He's never smoked, drank or dipped snuff and needless to day we are devistated by this diagnosis. He underwent surgery on 5/23 to remove all of his upper teeth, part of the upper palate and several lymph nodes and one of the salivary glands in his neck. His cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, but the doctors believe they have gotten it all.

He now has a prosthesis in the roof of his mouth which aids in the task of swallowing and speaking. He will soon be going through radiation for 5 weeks, 5 times a week. It's my understanding that this is pure hell.

One twist to all of this was that during the 7 1/2 hour surgery he suffered a heart attack and has now been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure. So, in addition to all of the appointments we have regarding the cancer, he now has additional apointments with the cardiologist to try to fix his heart.

I'm out here to find out how others have coped with what is lying ahead of us with regards to radiation and also to hopefully be able to receive some tips on foods to eat and how to process them so that he can manage to swallow them. I appreciate any and all information you can give.

Joy

Hi Joy,
Your dad is having a hard time and of course it takes it toll on family too. I am also just about to start RT and have found loads of helpful tips for making things easier. Every one on the site is great and if you have any questions ask away, there is usually someone who can help and give advice having been through it themselves. Let us all know your dads progress, you will probably at the end of treatment be able to come up with tips too. Hope all goes well. SusieR

Hi Susie,

Good luck with your upcoming treatments. I will hold you close in my thoughts as you face this next step in your recovery.

Joy

Hi Pharmgirl, Wow I dont know how your Father has been through all he has and still Radio to go.
I do wish your Dad and your family strengh to cope.
If you look through alot of the posting there is plenty of help.
The stories of our Big C may help you too

cheers

Paul

Hi Joy
Sorry to hear about your dad.
My dad had throat cancer 20 years ago and last August was rediagnosed with cancer in a gand in the neck. He underwent 6 weeks of radiotheraphy 32 goes in total. My dad was nil by mouth for a while not because he couldn't swallow but because when he was swallowing part of the food was passing to his lungs, which obviously caused complications.
My dad had a feeding peg tube fitted into his stomach as do most patients, however he had this fitted at a later date, therefore he lost a considerable amount of weight, he went from 12and a half stone to 9 stone.
I cannot lie to you and say it was easy for him or any of the family and it will be a worrying a time. However remain positive, have faith and you will see how increbile the human will is.
My dad went through alot which I have posted on other chats however to offer you support and encouragement my dad is now eating and drinking again and has got his weight back up to a healthy 11 stone and i am happy to say we recently celebrated his 68th birthday for which he was able to enjoy a few drinks.
Your dad will be great and if you need to chat, we're here as I found it a great support to come on here as sometimes you need to speak to people who are not your family.
I wish your dad well and hold you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Take care look after yourself and your family.
bye for now
Dee

Hi Joy. I had similar surgery and RT IN 1997(although I was only 28,not 75). I managed to eat and put weight on right through RT. I was managing 4000 calories a day and my RT was 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Everyone is different obviously but RT might not mean a completely bad time. I hope it goes well for your dad. All the best,Hagg.

Hi Hagg
4000 cals per day im lucky to eat between 2000 and 2200

well done

Dave and Sue

Dave & Sue,
Tell me about it! Even now i'm just pushing 1500cal. & that's on a good day!

I was lucky I think. My personality is very anti authority so when I was told 14 days in hospital for first op it just put my back up and I left on day 4. All treatments and ops were the same so when they said I wouldn't be able to eat much during RT I just wanted to prove them wrong. Being stubborn and pigheaded can be helpfull sometimes . I hope I dont sound to conceited or whatever,I really suffered mentally with the mortality stuff so it wasn't all a breeze but on the physical side I did ok. I hope everyone else here finds their way through this shi**y disease. All the best.

Thank you all for your kindness and words of encouragement.

I finally feel like I'm not so alone. It helps to hear the stories of what people with this type of cancer have gone through and what helps them which in turn helps me understand what my dad may be going though and how I can better help him. I only hope that one day I can help someone else in this situation.

Thanks again and Enjoy your week!

Joy

Joy
I had major surgery chemo & 6 weeks of R/T last year. It was tough at times, and I was 49, not 75.
Your Dad will find it tough at times, but the battle can be won.
Come on here whenever you need a specific question answering, or just general support.

Dee
Good to hear about your Dad's progress.

Hi 200
Good to hear from you and thanks my dad is doing much better. Just eating ad drinking again is great.
Hope you're well and still training
Take care
D
Joy hope you and your family are doing well.
Take care
D