Viv’s Diary

On the 22nd of November Viv went for his scheduled quarterly check up. This now familiar routine still bought with it anxiety and worry for Viv. It seemed that each visit was getting increasingly more difficult rather than easier.

As Viv’s body repaired itself, in the back of his mind he was thinking that the cancer could do the same and once again rear it’s ugly head. So as Dr Caba carried out various tests with a stern look on his face Viv tried desperately to dismiss any negative thoughts rattling around in his brain. Finally after several minutes of prodding, poking and mumbling to himself in Portuguese the good doctor sat down at his desk and gave Viv the all clear. If there was ever music to someone’s ears then this was it and understandably Viv breathed a huge sigh of relief.

That sunny day in November marked the 1 year anniversary of being cancer free for Viv with just 1 more year of check ups remaining. Although Viv’s general health was improving on a daily basis he was still concerned with his inability to produce saliva. He knew the radiation was the reason for this but dryness and irritation from his mouth and throat along with his constant need for water was starting to take it’s toll. A few weeks prior to the November check up an old buddy of Viv’s from Swaziland sent over a newspaper clipping of a new medical invention which helps people suffering from a lack of saliva. What is essentially a gum guard, this innovative piece of technology sends electronic impulses to the saliva glands to help stimulate them.

Obviously Viv was excited and very keen to find out more so got straight on the phone to the company responsible for the product – Saliwell Ltd who are based in Israel. After several discussions with the company he then had to go to the dentist so that they could make a form of his lower gum, much like a denture, this was then sent off to Israel. Some 6 weeks later Viv received a call from his dentist Isabel. She now had the device so it was time to see if it fitted in Viv’s mouth. Isabel warned Viv that there was a possibility that the device would not work due to the fact that the soft tissue around his saliva glands were almost certainly destroyed by the radiation. Undeterred Viv spent hours studying the instructions for the device and remained positive that it would work. The first time it was used Viv almost choked on the amount of saliva that had collected in his mouth. Having had a mouth and throat dryer than Ghandi’s sandal for the best part of a year Viv realised it would take some getting use to but he knew straight away the ingenious little gadget had enabled him to produce saliva again. This meant he could swallow easier and even spit on occasion, depending on which member of his staff had annoyed him the most.

Now Viv has been using the device for 10 days and is very pleased with the results. Initially Viv placed the gadget in his mouth for 10 minutes every 2 hours. Now he’s using it just 2 or 3 times a day. Any form of exercise dries up Viv’s mouth instantly so he always has a legitimate excuse to opt for the golf buggy instead of the cart. He still keeps a bottle of water in his pocket at all times more so as a kind of safety blanket but over all he has seen vast improvement. Food and wine is something Viv is really starting to appreciate again and each day it tastes better and better.

So as the year draws to a close it does so with much improvement and optimism for Viv. January will see him turn 60 years of age, a milestone that perhaps he thought he’d might not see a year or so ago. But you know what they say… life begins at 60.

Anybody interested in the Saliwell Medical System, should follow the links. I know that the saliva glands will never be the same again, but this system definitely and is well worth investigating if you’re experiencing any similar problems. Good luck.

P.S. Here’s another related article: Israeli project develops novel solution to dry mouth

December 7, 2007 | Filed Under Viv's Cancer Diary

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Viv’s Diary

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