Hi Everyone, I was hopeing some of you could help me with some suggestions for my Brother in-law, he was diagnoised with throat cancer,opted not to have vocal cords removed,he recently had to have all his teeth removed prior to radiation, because the treatments distroy the salvarory glands,and I guess the Doctor said meds to give artifical saliva tend not to work so well. So how will he cope like that,I mean you need spit for everything,do you have to have constant water near by, ? How about when you sleep?Gee's it seems like he has such a huge mountain ahead of him, so any help I can find for him will be a God send,so please, anyone that can help out in all areas,will be that God send. Thankyou all, and God Bless,Diana
I can give you alot of info on throat cancer. My friend was diagnosed in April with stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor was on his tonsil and lymph node involvement. His throat had a huge swelling on the side with several small ones. He had all his teeth removed and a feeding tube inserted into his stomach(which wasn't as bad as it sounds).He is only 38. I will not lie...it is a long hard road. He had 38 radiation treatments and 3 rounds of chemo. The chemo made him very weak and sick. He lost alot of weight which he could not afford to do because he is small but swallowing was impossible because of radiation. The bottom line is it can be done and you have to be strong. Approx 2 months after radiation, he was eating pretty good and the sore throat was gone. The loss of saliva is the hardest for him. He can't sleep for more than 2 hours without taking a drink and eating some foods like bread is impossible.... but he is alive. I thank God everyday for that and I do think it is a miracle because the doctors can't believe how well he is doing. The problems with eating are improving little by little. I heard there is some type of medicine the doc can give before radiation to help protect the salivary glands, you might want to try this. I will be here to answer any questions you might have or if your brother in-law wants, he can email me.He can fight this! Attitude is everything. If my friend can do this, trust me anyone can. How old is your brother'law, what stage is his cancer and will he have chemo also? Please keep your chin up and God bless!
Last edited by moderator2; 12-09-2004 at 03:16 PM.
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Thank you so much IBP,I am unsure of the stage,I will ask my sis about that,he starts radiation the 16th of this month,through Jan, then Chemo starts,he is 53 yrs old,he has an addition problem, he suffered a stroke 3 plus yrs ago, it effected his swallowing,so was on a feeding tubes for awhile after that,Thankfully he only was left with sensory problems,no paralasis,I will give this site to my sis,so as she can talk with you, I know you will be a godsend just because you know what he is in for, and God bless your friend,I am so happy to hear he fought the good fight and won!Diana
I am really sorry to hear about your brother-in-law. I am only 19, and in July, my dad was diagnosed with throat cancer. He never smoked either. I can tell you that it IS a long hard road and that my dad wanted to give up many times, but when he saw how much we needed him, he went though it. He didnt have to have his teeth removed, he has to do flouride everyday though, and still has problems swallowing every once in a while. Yes, water needs to be readily available. And the meds do help, just not to where it would be a normal amout of saliva. He is now done with treatment, is eating better, looking better, and has no trace of the cancer back. Hope, faith, and treatment is what my family relies on. Good luck to you and your family. Be strong (even when I know it is hard to be when you see them so sick from radiation and chemo), and he will get through. Meg
Dear Oceanblueeyes,First,God Bless your Dad, I am so happy for him and all his loved ones,and Thankyou for taking the time to give our family a warm hug.We will be his cheering section throughout all his treatments,and I know my sister will be so gratefull for all your support.I mentioned this site to her yesterday,and hope she comes online soon.I kinda think she does not think about all this right now,but know that she will be needing all the support she can get,Thankyou and may you all have many more years with your Dad. Diana
The loss of saliva is the hardest for him. He can't sleep for more than 2 hours without taking a drink and eating some foods like bread is impossible.... but he is alive. I thank God everyday for that and I do think it is a miracle because the doctors can't believe how well he is doing. The problems with eating are improving little by little. I heard there is some type of medicine the doc can give before radiation to help protect the salivary glands, you might want to try this. I will be here to answer any questions you might have or if your brother in-law wants, he can email me.He can fight this! Attitude is everything. If my friend can do this, trust me anyone can. How old is your brother'law, what stage is his cancer and will he have chemo also? Please keep your chin up and God bless! 
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