Bad patch

Hi Beepa. 
Try some high calorie high protein smoothies ( there are masses of recipes on the Net) 

Try eating little and often, even if it’s every hour.  

Beepa said:

I almost have a fear of eating the wrong food and making myself worse

Can you elaborate? What sort of food do you think might make it worse? 
As for the cold, it’s likely it’s hanging on because your nutrition isn’t right. Have you tried steaming over something like olbas oil or even used a decongestant nasal spray? 

There are all sorts going on in our heads after we finish treatment. The wrap around care has gone and we are left floundering for a while. 
Have a read of Peter Harvey’s essay on recovering from cancer. It helped me understand how I felt afterwards. It might help you 

https://workingwithcancer.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/After-the-treatment-finishes-then-what.pdf

Hi Dani, thanks for replying. I haven't tried smoothies, I'll look up some recipes. I haven't been eating fruit, veg or salad much, and I guess the drinks aren't enough to give all the vitamins we need.

I suppose it's silly re the food, but white bread, processed meats, tinned soups stuff like that. Not what I ate before, but they seem all that appeals at the moment. I guess I'll just eat what appeals to me until I get my head straight. 

I've been steaming and irrigating since my nasal surgery as my nose is always a bit blocked. It doesn't work any more, nor does a nasal decongestant, unfortunately. It's having to breathe through my mouth that causes the problems. 

I have read that essay, but I think it's time to re-read it.

Hi Beth, it's good you are going to have a chat with the Macmillan nurse i sure that will be very helpful. You are still early in your recovery really, and you body has a lot of healing to do, which takes quite a good while, you will get there.

Ray.

Thanks Ray, I just feel like I've had enough and it's hard to get my positivity back. But of course you're right. I need to stop stressing about every little niggle and just keep going.

Beepa said:

I suppose it's silly re the food, but white bread, processed meats, tinned soups stuff like that. Not what I ate before, but they seem all that appeals at the moment. I guess I'll just eat what appeals to me until I get my head straight. 

Honestly they won’t do you any harm in the short term. 

Beepa said:

I've been steaming and irrigating since my nasal surgery as my nose is always a bit blocked. It doesn't work any more, nor does a nasal decongestant, unfortunately. It's having to breathe through my mouth that causes the problems. 

Be sure to make heavy weather of this at your next review. It’s could easily be scarring after the treatment. 
Hang in there and hugs 

Hi Beth

I finished chemoradio in June 2023 ...T2N1M0 HPV16+ tonsil cancer....Iost 16 kgs in 3 weeks during CRT....ended up in hospital for 12 days to stabilise my weight...my PEG tube feed was changed from Ensure to Jevity which helped massively...started eating small portions in August 2023 then  gradually built up to full meals around late September ...post clear PET/CT scans in Sept 2023 the PEG tube was removed and my recovery quickened, healthy BMI, started swimming again, played some golf, went on a sunshine break with my wife...we all suffer from recovery stumbles and low days but things do improve...it is a difficult road but there is plenty of hope.

Peter

This gives me so much hope for the future.  I have just had my path results back and I have to have radio and chemotherapy and my biggest fear is the side effects and not being able to eat properly afterwards.  

Hugs

Hazel x

Hi Beth

As others have said it is difficult to get your mojo back for eating after treatment.  At this stage it does not really matter how you get the calories in, just try to do it.  Calories = body recovering quicker.  Forget healthy eating for the time being, you just need the food in whatever form you can accept.

I started with soups and ready meals as these were far easier to eat than home cooking.  Over time I have moved onto more home cooked meals, but there is still a limited diet I can accept due to swallow and dry mouth.  Now my go to foods are "sloppy" foods like pasta and pies with lots of gravey. I also hit the chocolate eclairs and jam & cream donuts for a high calorie intake.  Sod the cholesterol!!!

Yes I think I'm overthinking! Thankyou Peter.