First of all it may help those of you who are just beginning treatment to know that I am 20 months post treatment for base of tongue cancer. Treatment consisted of 35 rounds of radiotherapy, 5 out of 6 chemotherapy sessions and a neck dissection. Plus a tonsillectomy in the course of searching for the origin, a stomach feeding tube during treatment and various other indignities which I won’t go into here.
And…I am well! So well that I’ve signed up to do a MacMillan Mighty Hike next week. Only 15 miles admittedly but it will be a challenge for me at the great age of 63 and having always been averse to exercise.
I can cope with the dry mouth issue with the help of Zylimelts, gum and a camelback (plus the walk is in Wales so hoping and assuming it won’t be hot :)
But I’m wondering about snacks to keep energy levels up. Everything seems to contain loads of sugar as I suppose that’s what gives you the energy. At the moment this is a one off so I guess it’s not critical if I have a few jelly babies without being able to clean my teeth properly. But strangely the whole experience of treatment and doing the limited training I’ve done for this event has inspired me to keep going. I’d like to do more long distance walks, cycle rides etc. Pre treatment I would have taken chocolate bars, flapjacks etc to give me a boost but these now seem like dental Armageddon. So those of you who run marathons or go on mega cycle rides (eg Hazel), what would you recommend if anything? Thanks.
Appreciate the thought and the intent my friend, and it makes sense; but you lost me with "write down the benefits of being single". I may get to that place one day but not just yet.
Oh Mike you must miss Debs so much and she is with you all the time. But you know it’s a real cliche but I suspect she’d want you to not just soldier on but live. The hard part is to forgive yourself for still being alive. Yes “Not yet” but one day soon. Sorry if I’m out of order but I do know how you feel having been there. Lots of hugs.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
Thanks Dani, you're not remotely out of order.
The hard part really is that we knew she wasn't well but with my diagnosis I was "iller" so I did nothing to chase her appointments. If I'd been healthy I'd have been on the phone every day but everything became "me" centred; I'll never forgive myself for not doing more for her as long as I live. She didn't die of cancer or covid, but the two of them together indirectly killed her.
Anyway, this is taking the thread in a direction it doesn't need to go in so I'll apologise for the distraction and keep quiet now xx
Metastatic SCC diagnosed 8th October 2013. Modified radical neck dissection November, thirty-five radiotherapy fractions with 2xCisplatin chemo Jan/Feb 2014. Recurrence on larynx diagnosed July 2020 so salvage laryngectomy in September 2020.
Update: I did it and it was brilliant! The Gower Peninsula is so beautiful!
Brilliant Nicky.
Pity you aren’t there for the Gower Show. Last week in July this year. Usually first in August. Next year? We could swap stories.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
Yay to the exercise Lee! I ran my first 100-mile race across the South Downs Way in June, and loved every 23hours of it 
. It definitely is possible to learn how to adapt to exercise post-treatment (and for me even during immunotherapy treatment for me most recently). Eating with a very dry mouth is challenging, but doable with the right fluids. Here's to more long cycle / road races in the future!! Ans
