Recovery from treatment

My guess would be that H&N treatrment impacts on ability to eat/drink which other cancer treatments don't. If you're getting treated for your prostate/breast you can still eat normally (sickness issues aside) but not the case with H&N.

Hi As Mike has said the treatment effects the one part of our body we use constantly. I use this analogy to friends think what we do with our mouths. Eat speak drink  breath the basic necessities of living. We are taken to a point that’s close to breaking point and we can’t stop and rest as the simple act if surviving is ruled by the area that’s been fried snd in many cases chemically burned. Then we go in trying to life as a normal life as we can. 
Im almost 3 years post treatment for tonsil cancer snd certain foods I reckon won’t every be pleasurable again. 
This is my take on it. 
The plus point of course is a biggie head snd nec k cancers  respond really well to treatment.
hope this helps  Hazel 

Good morning Steve, it is true recovery does take longer because a lot of the time its in a confined area, where the mouth, tongue, tonsils, etc are still being used even during treatment for speaking, eating, etc, while in other areas its an is not actually being used so it can recover a lot quicker. I don't think it's more severe but i believe it causes more damage in the mouth because it's such a pinpointed area compared to a breast or other external body parts. I expect liver, bladder, etc cancer, etc are also in the same group as head and neck. Remembering all the burning and inflammation from the radiotherapy is all internal in a moist area. I know it can be slow progress but slowly but surely you will get there, all the best.

                                                                                              Chris 

Hi Steve. I can add to the others' excellent interpretation the fact that saliva issues are often unresolved and we have, unless we are very very careful....or unlucky, potential ongoing dental issues for life.

Hi Danni

Yes the dental issues have finally caught up with me 17 months after finishing my radiotherapy. I have just developed tooth decay in my 2 front teeth in spite of being very careful with my oral hygiene. The dentist says I must cut down on my sugar intake to try and help  and has given me a high fluoride toothpaste and tooth mousse that I have to put on my teeth at night.

It’s not that easy as so many foods have sugar in them but I have had to review my diet and am going to a dietician for some more advice. Unfortunately the only drink I can tolerate when I go out is hot chocolate as I don’t want to sit and just drink water while my husband is tucking into a coffee and snacking on a cake.  I am now trying to clean my teeth as soon as I get home to try and reduce the effects of the sugar.

Any other advice would be gratefully received.

Lyn

That’s a bummer. I am ott with my oral hygiene for that very reason. 
I don’t think you can chew gum can you? 
keep a pack of those Tepe interdental cleaning tooth picks, not the brushes, in your pocket. After you’ve eaten sloosh your mouth out with water pick through your teeth and sloosh again. Then rinse out with fluoride mouthwash. I use BioXtra. That should keep things ok till you get home. 
An alternative to fluoride mouthwash might be a pea sized bit of your toothpaste and a sip of water to rinse around your mouth. I fact I think that might even be the best idea. 
Thesr work for me. 

Thanks for the advice Dani. I haven’t tried chewing gum but will buy some sugar free gum and give it a go and see if I can manage it. I already have some Biotene mouthwash which is I think the equivalent of your Bioxtra and will try carrying it with me when I go out and using it as you have suggested. I will also try using Biotene dry mouth spray to try and keep my mouth more moist as up until now I have sucked a dry mouth lozenge every now and then if my mouth gets really dry during the day. The Xylimelts work well at night.

I have increased my teeth cleaning during the day and am now rushing to the bathroom every time I eat or drink something instead of just cleaning after meals.

There’s so much to think about, it’s a bit of a science. Hopefully will get the new regime sorted out and it will make a difference.

It was a bit hit and miss when I had my operation as to whether the surgeon would take out my 2 front teeth along with the ones on my left upper jaw so don’t want to lose them now.

Thanks for all the helpful tips.

Lyn

Hi Lyn. I always take a tooth cleaning kit out with me toothpaste duraphat and decant bioxtra into a small plastic bottle. After eating  my dentist a advised wait 30 min then brush teeth. I use sugar free gum make sure xylitol is the main ingredient as opposed to sorbitol i. Dr Pepper smith or orbital not sure if you can get in Australia. 
smnsure dentist can help with teeth 

hazel xx

Hi Hazel

Thanks for those tips. I didn’t know about cleaning 30 mins after eating so I will keep that in mind instead of cleaning straight after eating. Also didn’t know about making sure the main ingredient in the chewing gum needs to be xylitol, I’ll make sure I check on that before I buy the chewing gum. I haven't seen Dr. Pepper or Orbitol gum here but am sure there is a substitute.

I’ll add a tooth cleaning kit into the bag I already take out with me with my food in it. Think I might be finally getting things sorted but there is always something throwing a curve ball so mustn’t get complacent.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Lyn

xx

Hi Lyn no worries  yes we’re at a wedding tomorrow so have just done the same food emergency kit ,water and tooth kit. But as you say we are getting there. I’m 3 years next month post treatment!! 
Where in Australia are you ? I’ve bern in touch for over bad year with a guy from Sydney near Bronte beach. 
enjoy your weekend Hazel x