Checking In

Hi Brian, 

I had exactly the same diagnosis as you. And exactly the same treatment (i started treatment second half of 2020)

The mouth issues just gradually got better, i would say 2 or 3 months post treatment i was pretty much pain free and my mouth has continued to improve with regards to saliva. 

Food does start to taste better again, i had the same thing, everything tasted like rubbish, but now i love my food again. It definitely comes back. In fact weight gain has become an issue for me!.

Tiredness- i used to sleep constantly and for months i got dizzy spells if i stood up quickly, it passed. Now i dont have that issue at all.

Mental state- completely normal to be stressed post treatment, i had constant anxiety as well. I still sometimes stress if i see a swelling (and get it checked straight aware and its always been a flare up of lymphedema) but mostly i just get on with my life nowadays.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

Trev

Thanks Trev. That is very encouraging. I am still losing with, but I needed to. Would like to lose some more. This is not the preferred method, but maybe something good for the long run that comes out of it. Appreciate the kind words. Cheers. 

Hi BakedBrian as Trev said things do get better . Just take it one day at a time . I can highly recommend walking as probably one of the best medicines. I have had base of tongue cancer that spread to both sides lymph nodes and got the all clear and recently had a salvage neck dissection and have been discharge by my physiotherapist who said I have made an amazing recovery. I put this down to walking. Regarding taste some food just taste horrible but that will improve . I use to eat vindaloos the whole time but am getting back into spicy food again. All the Best Regards Marc

Hi Brian well done it’s still early days for you keep plodding along. Remember treatments brutal and recovery’s are varied. My oncologist said he would cure me but also said he would take a year out of my life he did both. Have a read of this by Dr Peter Harvey puts everything into perspective’s .well done on Indian food sadly I’m one of the minority no way can spicy enter my mouth even mustard makes me cry small price to pay but I miss a nice ham and mustard sandwich. Improvemts are happening they say 2 years at least but I’m still noticing tiny ones even now ay almost 5 years post treatment. 
Hazel x
www.workingwithcancer.co.uk/.../After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Thanks for the encouraging reply Marc. Truly appreciated 

Thanks Hazel!  Hope your mustard tolerance returns one day soon! 

Trevor glad to read your post I am 12 weeks post and keep getting light headed when I get up . Hope it will pass as never happened prior to treatment . My fitness is getting better , can walk 7 miles and started playing golf again . Always seem to be tired though and could drop off any time of the day . Still have no taste and using tube to feed , can’t wait to get taste back 

Hi Alan, you are still in the early days of your recovery, so you are doing really well, walking 7 miles and playing golf. If you feel the need to have a nap in the day, have one, it all helps with recovering. Your taste will come back in time, your body has a lot of healing to do, it all takes time, you will get there. Take care.

Ray.

Hi Alan

I had light headedness as well for a while after my treatment but it does pass. Just make sure that when you stand up you wait for several seconds before you start walking to reduce the risk of overbalancing. Also take care if you put your head down for any reason e.g. to tie up shoe laces. It is a nuisance but mine went away after a while and I no longer suffer from it. Can't give you a time frame for this but it did take a while before it went away.

You are doing so well with your recovery congratulations. It all takes time but it does improve.

Lyn

Alanl said:

I am 12 weeks post and keep getting light headed when I get up .

Hi Alan RT affects your blood pressure. 
Take care … it gets better