Hi all, I have just finished my eighth week of recovery after 30 RT/6 Chemo (Cisplatin), to treat tonsil and lymph node cancer. I have a PEG but hated pump feeds, so I ate throughout the treatment, and all through recovery. My ability to eat has improved, and it’s not too painful. The dry mouth is a pRobles, but hey ho.
I love food, so have been very excited as each advancement occurs, moving from soup to stews, cheese on toast, sausages, steak, etc.. I still eat slowly, need painkillers and gargles, but things are on the up, or they were.
In the last week things have changed, not so much with my physical condition, but I’ve started to dread eating. The smell of cooking food makes me nauseous, no matter what it is, and as meal times approach I feel tense and edgy. I want to just not eat, but I know that’s going to be detrimental to my recovery. I have resumed my triathlon training, so nutrition is vital, but eating anything is a struggle, not in terms of swallowing but in terms of desire.
i don’t know if nausea this late would be attributed to the treatment or long term side effects, and I don’t want to waste the CSN’s time, so was wondering if anyone else had a similar thing, and what they did to put it behind them?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Pete. Well done on getting so far.
im afraid I can’t throw much light on why you were eating well but now aren’t. My recovery was gradual and there were backward steps but none as significant as yours. I can say I had no appetite for a good six months. I ate but couldn’t care whether I did or not.
You sound like a very active chap well in control of your life and emotions. Could it be that your head hasn’t got round the fact that’s your body is still recovering but not as fast as your head would like?
Hsve a read if this article about recovering from cancer. It resonates with a lot of us
https://cancercounsellinglondon.org.uk/about/after-the-treatment-finishes-then-what/
I hope some of this helps.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
