Head and Neck Cancer .looking for any advice

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a bit of my journey and ask for some advice or shared experiences.

I was diagnosed with base of tongue cancer after initially going to the doctor about a lump in my neck.After a number of tests, I was told on my 38th birthday that it was cancer — something I never expected to hear, especially at my age.

My treatment plan involved 30 sessions of radiotherapy and 2 rounds of chemotherapy, which I started on 28th April 2025 and completed on 6th June 2025. The first couple of weeks were manageable, but by week 2, things got really tough. I became nil by mouth and had to have a nasogastric (NG) tube fitted.

By week 3, the phlegm became relentless, and my mouth was covered in painful ulcers. The ulcers thankfully eased after a few weeks, but the thick phlegm stuck around throughout treatment and for a few weeks afterwards.

The NG tube eventually came out after I coughed it up, but in a way, that motivated me to try eating and drinking again — having the tube in was difficult for me emotionally, as it felt like a constant reminder of being unwell.

Now in recovery, I’m still struggling with tooth pain, which I’ve been told is a side effect of the treatment. I’m currently taking morphine and ibuprofen to help manage the pain. My throat is still sore, and swallowing is difficult most days. I can get down about 3 Ensures a day, along with small bits of soft food like oats and very soft bites of other things.

One of the most difficult things now is that some mornings it feels like my throat is completely closed, and it can take hours before I feel like I can properly swallow or clear it.

I wanted to ask:

• Has anyone else experienced tooth pain or dental problems after treatment?
• Is it normal for the throat to still feel sore or closed, especially in the mornings?
• Does anyone have any ideas for calorie-rich, small meals or snacks that are easier to get down when eating is still a struggle?

Thank you in advance — any advice or shared experiences would be really appreciated. It helps so much knowing I’m not alone in this.