Old Eating Habits

Tough one this. For me, I got to around nine months and was still struggling pretty much as you are now, then I had an appointment with my consultant and he said that given the time passed I was likely where I was always going to be.

Then, almost overnight, everything started to get better; I don't know whether it was because I'd resigned myself to my fate so psychologically the pressure to try and force things was off, maybe. Now, despite having my eating interrupted again in 2020, I can eat pretty much anything; Wednesday will be an Indian takeaway because it's my late wife's birthday and that's what we always had so I'm carrying the tradition on.

I'd say don't give up hope but don't try too hard, let things take their course and I'm sure it'll get better.

Hi Cupcake 

so you are somewhere around 4/5 months out if RT? It’s still early days and it’s a question of trial and error but slowly. You might be surprised what you can eat if you dress it properly. Bread is a no no thus early. The pores in the bread soak up whatever saliva you have and make it impossible to swallow. But try toast with lashings of butter, or crumpets or toasted tea cakes. The easiest meat to try is slow cooked stewed lamb. Leave chicken alone. It was a good year before I could manage chicken and then it was only thigh meat. 
A very rare steak is easier too. There’s plenty of wild shot venison available online. Not cheap but the steaks you can cut with a fork. 
Taste is a different matter. If your taste has been affected it takes it’s own time. It was a year before I was happy with what I could taste and improvements continued way past that. 
I hope that helps 

To get your saliva going try chewing sugar free gum. I found acupuncture helped me. I’ve got a couple of posts about it in my blog below 

Hi Cupcake

I finished treatment for base of tongue cancer in August 2018.  I was definitely eating very similarly to you at your stage and experienced the same difficulties with bread, potatoes, cake etc.  Don't lose hope though, very slowly things should continue to improve.  I found I just had to keep experimenting periodically with things.

I still find bread difficult but do manage to eat it if I dip it into my soup.  Not quite the same as enjoying a sandwich but at least it make a change!  

My taste has improved enormously although there are still some foods that just don't taste nice any more.  At one point I couldn't even bear the taste or texture of cheese sauce or gravy but that's improved now too and makes food easier and more exciting.  I've also found roasting vegetables helps to bring out the flavour and eating them with a drizzle of a flavoursome oil is good.  I use oils a lot now as I still don't like mayo etc, probably because of the acidity.

Unfortunately I still can't swallow meat and a host of other foods but I think that's more to do with a problem I have with scar tissue from surgery.  Most other people in time seem to be able to swallow meat in some form so hopefully that will be the same for you too.

All the best.

Linda x   

Thanks MikeO, I think I am putting too much pressure on myself. Maybe need to just relax a bit more. 

Thanks Beesuit. I've just tried a slice of toast with lashings of butter and managed to get it down without too much trouble. I just assumed that toast would be as, if not more, difficult than bread! Definitely going to try a toasted teacake next as I really love them. 

Thanks Linda, it's good to hear from others who've been through similar situations and come out the other side. I know I'm probably putting too much pressure on myself but I've always been a bit of a foodie and it's hard when I can't eat the foods I've always loved. I think I need to be a bit more patient and just keep experimenting, things I can't manage now I may be able to in a few weeks /months. 

I'm 2 years on from my operation and radiotherapy. I am still at the stage you are at now, yoghurt, soup, custard, etc. I have to have oesophagal dilation every 2 or 3 months and I don't expect things to improve - my consultant agrees. The mechanism in my mouth just won't function because I only have half a tongue: the flap has no muscle or nerves, of course. Yes, I agree, eating is a chore and I have lost weight. I used to long to eat salads , crisps, anything with texture but I've got used to it now and food is just medicine, not pleasure. I'm fortunate to be able to enjoy other things - walking, gardening, painting, sewing, reading, etc. Speaking isn't easy so I don't socialise much.

Hi Cupcake. Try to develop food is fuel mantra. Yes toast I discovered  is far easier than bread it’s the element if cooking it that alters the texture.lCheese on toast with a poached egg ,smashed avocado again in toast  with poached egg these were staple lunches for me for a good while. Sweet potato instead of mashed potato’s.Dip biscuits on coffee something I hated doing but now I still need to dip so dip it is. At first I couldn’t drink the coffee but with time I could,,As for meat a rare rib eye was far better to start with ok forget the Chips for now. slow cooked lamb beats pork or even mince they all take time. Chicken comes later try thighs or legs it’s only this last year I’ve been able to comfortably eat chicken breast. Time is the key unfortunately there’s no quick solution. Make your own soups that way you’re in control  of seasonings as well.

Hope this helps  and yes I can eat most things now apart from anything spicy so will live with that. 
Hazel

I guess I'm in a better position than you as I was lucky enough not to need surgery of any kind. My attitude to food has changed in that I view food as a means to stay alive rather than a pleasurable experience. I love your positive outlook and wish you well.