Nasal Squamous cell cancer

Hi Trish. I am thanks and you sound as if although a work in progress you’re on top of things

keep well and best wishes 

Hi Trish

Sorry to hear you have the same problems sleeping as I did

A couple of things I have done that has helped was to buy a humidifier to which I can add essential oils (normally a mix of Olibas and eucalyptus oils) and leave by the side of my bed during the night. The other thing I do which I found on the NHS web site is to make a 1% salt and bicarbonate of soda solution and wash the inside of my nose by breathing it in from the palm of my hand. When I told my specialist this he also suggested use a syringe to douche the inside. By doing this and having a good blow of my nose before I go to bed helps me sleep most of the night now. Although sometimes a large Scotch helps as well (to drink of course not to wash my nose with). My specialist said my tiredness is due to the amount zapping the did to me and takes a long time to wear off.

Maybe when we are all free again the three of us should get together and compare noses!

regards

Terry

I have top dentures done before cancer. I got some made at dentist and the plate on roof was too thick. Dentist said that 's how made on nat health. Changed my dentist and she referred me to the Dental Hospital as got a small mouth. They are brilliant. Fit really well and light. Free as well. 

Is it easy to glue on and how long does it stay on? Does it feel ok and can you breathe properly. I don't really want implants as can't face another op and will only wear it when I go out.

Yes strange for us all to have had it done in the same year but gr8 to find others. Maybe in same age group. I am 64.

Yes it is nice there are others who can understand what we are going through. Is the nose easy to glue on and does it feel ok? Can you put make up on it? Is it easy to breath through? 

I only have about half an inch of bridge so just enough. Have to make sure they don't slip down.

I am glad someone else has the tiredness. Everyone seems to think you should be back to your old self but don't realise that the physical symptoms will take time and I won't be dashing around any time in the future. Also there are the emotional symptoms as well.

Yes I am in the same age group I am 67

They are very easy to glue on the hardest part is getting it straight as I can't wear my glasses as I am putting it on. They stay on really well in fact sometimes they are a bit awkward to get off. I was lucky when I had mine made as the prosthetic guy at the LRI had two students with him and I have ended up with choice of three to wear (I did ask if I could have a special Rudolph one for xmas but that fell on deaf ears). I wear mine all the time as the more I wear it the more I get used to it. The only bother I have is I have to take it off to blow or clean out my nose.

Hi Terrypops, I did have sleeping problems before the op too.  To cut a long story short, I had a bottom of the back op and I was given slow release morphine, Tramadol and Amitriptyline afterwards and slept all night.  A new GP who I think wants to be a hippy and treat you with what he finds foraging, as he messed all the tablet system up.  He said I was on too many tablets, so stopped the morphine as well as the Tramadol. He replaced the Tramadol with a slow release one which is no good for me as I suffer terrible irritation and tickling in the nose hole as I don’t have anything but the hole  and a tiny bridge.  I only put my glasses on when I need to as I’m shortsighted I do need them. So far forward the gp says they are the same Tramadol  have had all the time.  Argument with him on the phone, said I would prove what I was on before.  I have found everything I need and they are different. I am going to compose an email to him later.   I can’t blow my nose as there is nothing there, i clean 2/3 times a day.  I don’t often put my nose on as it tends to slide down a little, it will be better when I get dentures in.   I just drink Pepsi Max these days my stomach does not fancy alcoholmuch to the amusement of my other half, he called me the beer monster years ago!!  I’m 68 in October too. Do you have any breathing problems? Before I had it done my breathing was a problem and the consultant said it was the cancer that was causing it.  I’m still not breathing too good at the moment, I’m tired and have put weight on too.  Had a full blood test yesterday so waiting for the results before seeing the hippy dr again.  A nose party sounds good.

Thnx for this. Very helpful. I was hoping to get a couple. A freestanding one and one attached to my glasses to see which is best. I have a photo of a new nose as thought might as well have a change.Think the advantages outweigh the disadvatages but yes could be awkward to blow your nose in public lol. Mine is being delayed by covid so hopefully appointment in next few months.

Hi Terracatb, the noses are not bad to stick on, I can’t wear my glasses to see either, so I have given myself various places to look so I know if it’s ok.  It does feel like a false nose though. The tiredness and breathing are my main problem.  The sleeping is ok on a morning, just not through the night.    I have tested some makeup but I’m not sure around the edges of the nose as to blending it in,  I’m going to get my daughter to have a go once the lockdown allows.  I don’t have a dash in me I take everything slowly or the breathing  becomes a problem.  I’m not sure if there could be a bit of a panic attack too as I did have them with the pain associated with my back before the op.  I must admit I do get upset occasionally and wish things were different but it passes till the next time.  I sometimes wonder if I will ever be back to my old self.  I was told I could have as many noses as I needed due to different things changing your face shape.

 Forgot to mention I went to a dentist for dentures and they eventually referred me to the hospital dentist too.  I have had the impressions taken but due to pandemic had last appointment cancelled.  I’m sure I will feel better when I get some although I imagine they maybe a little uncomfortable as my gums have had 12 months to do what they like and once the dentures are on there could be trouble.  Just another little problem to overcome.  

Hi Dani that’s good to hear.  I still have why me days but then again why not. Onwards and upwards I keep thinking.  Dentures remind me of when I took my dad for his teeth out and he was having dentures put straight back in.  ( I did read somewhere that the best thing was to give them a boiled sweet to help them)  so dad comes out of the room smiling and I fish a Yorkshire mixture out of my bag and pop it in his mouth. I must say a boiled sweet is not ideal although I nearly wet myself laughing at him juggling this sweet about.  Another true story haha