Eating and swallowing

Good evening EmL16, you are still very early on in your recovery and I think you are doing well on what you are swallowing, I would stick to the thin soups and supplements maybe add cream to the soups to give them a boost, I was told to try anything dairy wise ( deserts )as like icecream they go down easy. As time goes by and the tongue heals and readjusts the swallowing and eating will get better, it's surprising how much work the tongue when eating and swallowing. I was lucky in a way as I had a PEG feeding tube fitted when I had my floor of the mouth/part tongue cancer which I did use if I was struggling. Let's hope things don't get that bad for you in the next 7/10 days. I used to liquidise food as it made it easier to swallow so maybe you could try this.

      You are right as the swelling decreases your swallowing will get better, you never know with the numbness as we all react and recover differently, let's hope it does improve for you. I was sort of luck as I had a PEG feeding tube fitted which I did use occasionally, they do have their good points.

    Try not to get to down, I know its been a tough time and most of us go through it but come out the other end in one piece . Great to know you have your family supporting and helping you, it makes a big difference. Wishing you a great recovery, best wishes, take care.

                                                                                               Chris x  

Not as extreme as you, but I had biopsies on my tongue and tonsils - followed by the tonsils being removed and a neck dissection.  I know your pain!  Trust me it does get better.  I suspect after 3 or 4 days it will get worse until around day 7 when you should notice an improvement.  I think some of that is to do with the scabs forming then detaching.  Just knowing the timeframe helps manage the pain and expectation.

Stay off acidy foods.  Soups are good as is ice cream and yoghurt.  I found a well pureed shepherds pie (or the like) went down well after a few days.  Alas the food needs to be quite cool to avoid further irritation, but you get used to it.  Calories "in" is important as the body needs energy to heal.

I have found after 3 operations worth of experience that the nerves do get disturbed (or even cut).  Sensation often does come back to a great extent, but it does take time for the nerves to heal.  Sometimes it never returns.  I've a numb thigh from an operation when I broke a leg nearly 50 years ago.  You get used to it.

Thanks so much for taking time to respond. I managed a shake for breakfast and soup at lunch. The only other problem I’ve had is loose stools and stomach cramps over last few days but I guess that’s because of the liquid diet and the medication maybe. Everything I eat is going straight through me. I have also just managed a small bowl of scrambled egg, by putting it to the other side of my mouth and swallowing it followed by a drink of water just to get it down, only down side is it has aggravated my tongue just from moving it more. I think my body needs something a bit more than soup, I didn’t think to add cream, that’s a good idea thank you, maybe try that when my stomach settles a bit. I’m glad I didn’t have a peg tube fitted, doesn’t sound very pleasant. I’m going to persevere and keep trying to get some form of food down me. Hope you have recovered well or are recovering well since your procedure. I had a bit of a bad day yesterday, had a good cry, it just became a bit overwhelming. I’m only in my 30’s and never expected to get cancer, but I suppose nobody ever does. Just need to take one day at a time and plan some things to look forward to. Take care. 

Thanks for your response, yes I’m hoping it improves soon. I am finding yogurt and Ice cream helps as it’s cold and soothing on my throat. My throat is very sore, I think that maybe due to the tubes during the operation. My surgeon did tell me the left side of my tongue will remain numb as they had to cut one of the nerves for that side, I will be going to speech therapy and a dietician at the hospital so I’m sure that will give me some improvement. 

Hi EmL16, if you are taking food supplements with added fibre they tend to upset some peoples stomach, I have experienced this when i first started on Ensure food supplements, the ones with fibre in did not agree with me yet the normal ones were ok but as you say it could be your stomach settling down. We all have bad days during and after recovery mainly because of all the build-up, tests, scans etc then it all stops during recovery and you suddenly have time on your hands and reality hits home, Totally agree with your statement nobody expects to get cancer as i was one of those people, stay positive as you have a lot of good times ahead of you, best wishes.

                                                                                                      Chris x