Throat Cancer

Hi Kieran

Glad you are doing well and enjoying life in spite of the issue with eating.

I did not have the same op as you but also have had to adjust to eating differently since a mandibulectomy, 2 maxillectomies and radiotherapy. For me it took a while to come to terms with never being able to eat normally again as like you I enjoy cooking and eating is such a big part of socialization. I don't have a PEG but can only eat puree very messily.

I also have to carry around a box of tissues with me as I often have to mop up my face as I have a reduced lip seal.

But hey what’s that in comparison to another chance at life. Like you I am enjoying every moment and there’s always a way around the eating issue I have found.

Wishing you all the best and I hope the swallow does return soon.

Lyn

• Hi Sophie , thank you so much for your reply. It's so nice to chat to someone who understands the issues concerning the side effects Chemo and Radiotherapy.  I just needed to speak to someone who has actually been on the Cancer journey . I tend to over think things and can become depressed. Generally I'm feeling great and feeling even better for your reply.  Take care Kieran 

Hello Keiran and welcome to the community.

I can only imagine what it must be like to be well but still unable to eat.

It is certainly a hard road we travel through treatment and recovery. I am three plus years clear and I made a fairly uneventful recovery but there are quite a few folk here who had swallowing issues for quite a while. Can I presume you are having some intensive rehab exercises? that's the best chance you have of getting better more quickly.

Best wishes

• Hi Dani thank you so much for your reply. I haven't been encouraged to do swallowing exercises yet which surprises me considering my condition. I will make inquiries ASAP. It's something I Will definitely look into. 

• Thanks Kieran 

Hi Kieran welcome from me. Please see your speech therapist fir swallow exercises sorry you’ve not been given them. I was given them on day 1 and still do them 4 years down the line . In 4 years post radiotherapy abs chemo for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes. Happily living my life now   
Hazel 

Hi Kieran

I definitely found being on this forum helped me. After my first op in 2013 I had  limited support and found it hard going. I found this forum after my 2^nd op and it has made me feel less isolated knowing that there were others out there who had experienced something similar so understood. Family and friends are wonderful and give the support they can but do not understand the long term impact of treatment and definitely don’t want to hear me banging on about it. I can express my thoughts on the forum and then get on with my life with the support I get here.

I feel so well now albeit with the side effects of the ops and radiotherapy. It is 7 months since my  3^rd  op and I am waiting for some reconstruction on my jaw but am living a fairly normal life and have figured ways around my limitations with eating.

It’s a good life still.

Sending you my best wishes.

Lyn