Taste buds

My husband is having a bit of a setback with taste and eating most likely because of thrush.  I have an app that counts calories and it's very helpful.  I just started using it again and used it all through his treatments.  It's called MyFitnessPal and it's free!  Good luck!!

Gill H said:

Laryngectomee so no voice.)

Hi Gill

is he going to have a TEP fitted? 

Sorry you're husband is having a setback, thrush is painful in the mouth

Thank you for that info, much appreciated 

Hi Dani.

Soon after diagnosis, he had a tracheostomy to enable him to breathe.  The tumour on his larynx was so large it was virtually cutting off his air supply.

Shortly after the trache, his CNS explained all about the total laryngectomy and the options available on voice recovery.  When she went into detail about a TEP he pulled a face and wafted his hands, indicating no way.

I asked what was putting him off and he wrote down he didn't fancy fiddling about with it or having it changed every few months.  Fair enough, because at that point I reckon he was focusing on getting rid of the tumour as the main priority.

He knows the option is there to have a prosthesis fitted should he change his mind, but now that his neck is so much better after RT, he's indicated he's going to have a good crack with the electrolarynx provided.  The S and L therapists are fantastic with him btw.

He's never bemoaned becoming mute (I wouldn't have coped) and it's been seven months now.  

As long as he's ok with the way we communicate at present I won't push him.  Time will tell if he feels differently in the future.

Pipalrious, hope you don't mind I went off thread there?

Gill xx 

Gill H said:

I asked what was putting him off and he wrote down he didn't fancy fiddling about with it or having it changed every few months.

I know it's an oft quoted cliche....we are all different.... but we are if he's happy and you are then that's what is important.

Gill H said:

Pipalrious, hope you don't mind I went off thread there?

I'm sure Pipilarious won't mind. Sometimes these threads go astray but often very usefully so and it's a way that all of us keep in touch

Hi

It can take a while for taste buds to get back on track , most seem to return slowly from 6-18mths Im 16mths post treatment and still have a salt/metal rancid taste to everything I eat or drink.

Please speak to his dietitian or CNS re his weight as it’s important he is getting enough calories vitamins and minerals. I take 4 supplement drinks( 400 calories each ,provided by hospital) plus I eat a soft food diet( due to swallowing issues/fibrosis) poached eggs/soup with added cream/trifles/yougurts/crustless quiche made with eggs cheese cream/ creamy dips etc .

I hope things improve for him soon

Debbie

I don't mind at all, every bit of information is really helpful x

Thank you Debbie,

I have loads of ideas, advice and suggestions from all you lovely people. 

I do hope you stay well. 

That is such useful information - I’ll be trying that too.