Partial Glossectomy and Radiotherapy

Hi, I also struggle to eat anything that isn’t smothered with some kind of gravy or sauce and also still have pain in the right side of my throat and some earache. Saw my consultant yesterday after having PET CT on 18th December. There was a slight hot spot at the  base of my tongue, but after looking with the camera my consultant is happy that all is good and nothing to worry about at this time.  He wants me to have an MRI and I go back for a check in 8 weeks. 

Hello...work good....I usually do 15 hour shifts working in residential children’s home with boys with behavioural problems...but gone down to part time hours when and if I want!..they have been brill with me..

Most days I feel good..started walking again out in the Peak District which is good for my health and my head!..but do still have lot of pain in my throat..ear ache at moment and deafness..which comes and goes.. 

but WE are doing so well...we should be proud of ourselves..

very best wishes

Anna x

Wow Anna! I’m in awe! 
I used to run. Can’t go far now as can’t mouth breathe without drying up completely 

I have to work on that. 

I'm in awe of you completely!

My eating is getting easier by the day but still painful a lot of the time. The biggest thing for me is that I just don't have that much of an appetite most of the time but I'm working on that.

I'm hoping in that I'll be able to get back to work in the next month or so, on reduced hours to start with.

Best wishes to all of you and let's hope 2020 is a better year for all of us xx

Hi you will get there eventually, just remember our bodies but take a battering through treatment. Baby steps is the way to go , you May find your  appetite doesn’t return to what it was before ,I don’t eat meals the same size as before plus takes me longer to eat most things. You may also find old favourites no longer have the same appeal. In my case lasagna and fruit cake seem to have replaced my old favourites of roast lamb and  chocolate  cake . I long for a nice thirst quenching drink ,still looking for that one folks any ideas ? I don’t mean alcohol either as u rarely drunk before treatment and my delicate mouth ain’t ready for a sip of anything alcoholic !

good luck to everyone no matter where you are in treatment .

Hazel xx

RadioactiveRaz
Yes the thirst quenching drink is a real conundrum. While I was still on Radio and shortly after, Diet Coke hit the spot. I do still enjoy it but dilute it 50/50. I’ve got used to the permanent scratchy throat and feeling thirsty all the time now. The mouth takes a real battering and now although it feels dry it isn’t as dry as my brain tells me 

I can eat anything now a year on but some things I adored taste horrid. While I was not able to eat I used to dream of a refreshing avocado mozzarella salad. I used to eat a lot of avocados. No more as they just taste of soap! I do like a nice bitter when we go out to the pub. Thank heavens I can still do that! 
Just experiment. It’s all you can do. 

Yep, I haven't found anything remotely refreshing to drink, even ice cold water doesn't do the trick. I used to drink Pepsi Max all day, every day. Now I can't even sip it as it's too acidic for my mouth. I have discovered that Lemonade is easier to drink and is a bit refreshing. Otherwise, I drink tea, coffee or water.

I have found Bailey's ok to drink as a tipple, I think because it's creamy it doesn't have too much effect on my mouth and I really enjoy drinking it.

As for food, I just keep trying different things to figure out what works and what doesn't. You're right though, my appetite is completely up the swanny at the moment. I find myself buying something that I really fancy and by the time I get home, I've completely gone off the idea! 

I have to laugh, I've just been to my GP surgery for a new fit note. DR and I both agreed to do it for another month and see where I'm at then. When I got home and looked at it, she's done it for 6 months lol.

Keep smiling xx

Hi like I said weird I was never a fan if avocados now they are a go to s ashes in toast with poached egg on top. I can jay about manage half a can of Diet Coke . Also have to agre mouth isn’t as dry a brain thinks it is good analogy that one !But on a plus point we’ve all come so much fur5her in than this first few weeks after treatment ! 

KB21 take the 6 months if you can , otherwise see about work allowing you a phased return maybe part time half days to start with when and only when  you feel you can do it.

Onwards and upwards , my bike will soon be calling me only another  appointment mid February ,my ent guy on holiday so probably a locum who will take great delights in the opportunity of using the scope !Yhen the ferry beckons for some warmth and outdoor exercise !

Hazel xx

ignore typos I can’t find any of my many pairs of reading glasses .Thats my excuse and I am sticking to it !

H x

Oh, I'll definitely be doing a phased return, don't worry. I actually work at the hospital where I'm being treated so I don't think anyone there is going to let me go straight back to work full time. 

I'm really hoping to start a few hours a day soon, I've been off work 7 months already and it's really time to start getting some normality back in my life. 

I'd happily take the extra 6 months off if I didn't think I'd go insane with boredom lol xx