Hi
I see lots of discussions about tongue, nose, throat, jaw etc but haven’t come across anyone else with Buccal Mucosa (cheek). Is there anyone out there?
In 2016 my partner had a large black cancerous lump removed from his lower lip. Then 8 months later a bigger cancerous black lump in the corner of his mouth removed and a lip shave. No Rad /chemo at this stage.
In Feb this year he had a large marble sized lump in his cheek. In March Diagnosed Grade 3 SCC Carcinoma with spread to Lymph Nodes. Followed by 14hr op & neck dissection & free flap donor from forearm in April. 30 Rads & 6 chemo (cisplatin) (changed to 2 carboplatin) finally completed last week.
He gad an NG tube fitted about 4 weeks ago and is really low. He desperately wants to try & eat but pain & salty taste mixed with all the usual Rad side effects is stopping him from moving forwards.
Firstly any tips on relieving the painful mouth sores & getting back to foods? Secondly any cheek experiences? and thirdly any tips on helping him find a new normal he’s so low and fed up with everything and out of ideas. Naturally he’s not a positive person and the word positive is one I use very lightly when he feels so fed up. We take one day at a time and I try to break his day up with small things that I know he likes but he point blank refuses to leave the house while he has NG tube. He does at least love the cricket!!! I don’t so much but have learnt quite a bit recently!! :-)
Any help very much appreciated
Thank you for reading.
Williow x
Hi Willow , just seen this post ,I will try and answer it tomorrow and might be able to offer advice along with others . Take care ,speak tomorrow .
Chris x
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
Hello Willow, sorry to hear about your partner , you are correct about cancer of the cheek as I don't think we have any before your post so I cannot help on that side of things, although most of us have had a full neck dissection with the forearm flap.. and some of us have radio and chemo afterwards , I had cisplatin and coped ok with it . Well done to your partner in getting through it all , he has been on a rough journey . A bit like me as I had 3 cancers in 3 years in the head and neck area .
Its a shame about the NG tube ,was he offered a PEG, I don't think I would liked to have a NG tube , im sure he would have coped better with the PEG as its not in view and fairly easy to use . Im sure the mouth sores will ease in time and as things heal up his eating will begin to recover , you can buy mouth sprays that might help with the pain , but make sure he is taking the stronger painkillers,
As I said earlier my cancer started in the floor of the mouth in 2008, lower jaw bone cancer in 2009 and finally my larynx was removed and I had a total laryngectomy , so cannot speak now . I also rely on my PEG for food supplements as I cannot eat solid food , one good thing is I can still drink . Im the complete opposite to your partner and im very positive and always will be , sometimes we just have to put that extra bit of effort in to achieve the results we are after . I never went out for the first few weeks as I did not know how people would react to my reconstructed jaw and a stoma in my neck with a filter fitted . Plus I cannot speak . Once I was fully recovered and healed up I just went out and was totally surprised in how I was treated and accepted by the public , and up until this day I have never been insulted or ridiculed ( as my mouth is a bit deformed ) . So tell your partner there is hope out there and he will adjust to his new way of life in time . I go to parties ,functions ,football , not cricket yet but I love watching it so I will be quizzing you later .
I hope this has helped in some sort of way , if he starts to get depressed then please let the Dr know as there is help available , I had to get help , but its all good now and im a very happy person . Wishing you and your partner all the very best ,take care .
Chis x
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
