Getting back to normal?

Hi Mark

Great to hear that you are eating normally now. 14 weeks seems like a very long time away but I guess the weeks pass quickly and it’s a build up to get to that point.

I only have the Difflum mouthwash but can ask about Oxetacaine as have regular oncology check ups, 2 next week.

Can you please send me the link to your blog so that I can have a look.

 I rang my bell very loud and felt quite emotional, must be the relief 

Thanks again 

Shell

Thanks Dani

I certainly rang the bell loud but not as loud as my Mom lol. What an emotional day, I have no idea where the tears came from.

 I am so happy that I don’t need to run to hospital every day. I have very low energy and wasted what little I have running up and down. 
Lie ins and healing for me these next few weeks

Marks blog is his profile. Just tap on his avatar and off you go 

Well done Shell.  Hope everyone had their fingers in their ears while you rang the bell!

Linda x

Got it, thanks Dani

Hi Shell. As Dani says, it’s just under my profile. I don’t know how to do a blog! (I’m a bit of an old fart!)  I know 14 weeks sounds a long time but I’ve actually been eating pretty well for quite a few weeks now. 

I have to say that the Oxetacaine played a very important part in keeping me eating post-RT so you might want to run that past your oncologist. 

I’m so glad that the treatment has finally finished and that you rang that bell. What a milestone! 

Get plenty of rest and eat as heartily as you can. You have total licence to stuff your face as much as possible for the next month or two to help your body heal! Cream, ice cream, custard, cheesy sauce etc. 

Got it Mark thank you and I will refer back to it as the next few weeks unfold.

Hoping my taste buds start to heal soon because I can’t stand ice cream or any dairy products they just taste vile.

 I am so looking forward to being able to build up a list of things that I can eat.

Speak soon

Shell

Hi Samantha,

I’m 11 months post treatment for a tumour at the base of my tongue and lymph nodes. My recovery was what seemed to me to be a very slow process and it does tend to get me down at times, but I’m starting to realise that most of my problems are because of my lack of patience and the fact that I seriously underestimated what exactly the journey ahead of me would entail. However the burns healed fairly quickly and the skin in now in decent nick. The blistering and ulcers in my mouth cleared up after several weeks. Taste and saliva are still being problematic and there’s a chance that this is something I may have to learn to live with. Eating is ok now, however there are things that I crave and still have problems eating such as crisps, chips, bread and some meats. Weight loss seemed to be a problem for my dietician, but not for me. Went from 14 stone down to 11 stone and have controlled it now at around 11.5 stone which I’m very happy about.Alcohol will be an issue in the early stages as it’s like drinking acid, but it gets easier as the weeks pass, I can drink copious amounts of beer now without any problems and the taste is phenomenal, but spirits are too strong and they burn like hell. Sweet sugary things , especially chocolate can also give a burning sensation after a few of them. Pasta with sauces , especially pot noodles and super noodles are good, vegetables are fairly easy to munch on , I recommend staying away from spicy things for a while. You’re going to be a bit uncomfortable for a while, but this is achievable, keep the pain under control and the the calories going in to keep up your strength and you’ll smash it. I’ve been back at work for 2 weeks and I’m going to the boozer tomorrow night for the first time in 14 months, so I’m almost back to being a normal 53 year old bloke:).

hope some the above offers you some hope 

best of luck 

Bill

Hi Bill How did the pub go ? I havnt had a beer since Christmas . I finished treatment on the 29th of January for base of tongue and lymph nodes on both side. I know we are all different as I had no burns or mouth ulcers. I still have a roaring throat through sometimes and use the diffalm spray and still take paracetamol like today if pains bad. Eating wise things are improving big time once I can swallow but the taste thing is another matter and seems to be getting better slowly but surely. I have tried eating doritos and pretzels which are a bit dry and can be difficult to swallow , I did try  king prawn masala 2 weeks ago but it was to hot but might try again soon. I did buying 2 tins of Jamaican ginger beer fiery which certainly burned a bit but I still had both cans lol . All the Best Min 

Min,

The pub was amazing, the beer tasted fantastic and the weather was glorious. Luckily I’m a beer drinker because the fizz in lager is too much for my tongue and throat. I don’t remember having too many issues with my throat other than the thick slime I had to bring up, but it cleared up a few weeks after completing the treatment. Stick with it, it’s all worth it in the end, stay safe 

regards

Bill