Hello - thought I'd drop in with a quick update on all things recovery, taste, appetite... I think it's helpful for anyone newly diagnosed to see people coming out the other end of treatment and getting on with life - it certainly was for me!
Eating - everything! I need water to wash it down but I never shy away from trying anything. Prefer fish, or lamb /belly pork. Don't eat much bread now (used to love it) but still love a croissant. I've eaten out a lot and always manage to find something on the menu that my taste buds prefer!
Taste - I can taste chocolate for 3 bites then taste disappears - which is good as I used to be a chocoholic! A box of chocolates or a bar now lasts me much longer! Weirdly, I prefer desserts that I didn't used to like before (trifle, cheesecake, Portuguese egg custards are now yum!). I prefer savoury to sweet things. I still can't really taste wine... apart from Champagne ... So I just drink that... what a shame LOL!
Dry mouth persists but very manageable, much like everyone else I suppose. Still drink plenty of water, chew gum, a Xylimelt at night.
Winter - everyone had some sort of virus or flu this winter and happily I've managed to escape it (loads of vitamins/ supplements/ fruit & veg etc). I do feel like I have a mild cold on and off... like phlegmy throat, blowing nose, dry throat etc. But barely noticeable compared to those dark days of treatment/recovery. Central heating & winter months certainly don't help, but we're nearly entering Spring!
Feeling good and building back to full contracted hours by April. Managing fatigue and listening to my body!
Looking forward to hubby's birthday weekend early May - massive food extravaganza 6-course tasting menu with a Michelin * chef and white water rafting in North Wales.
Booked a holiday to Ibiza (end of May) and can't wait 
And already planning a couple more breaks this year!
I went to a rock night last week and was jumping around to ACDC about halfway in - never too old! So for anyone just embarking on treatment or coming through recovery, it may feel like ground hog day and hopeless at times; but it really does pass and good times will return. It makes me appreciate things so much more now and I will continue to grab life with both hands!
Helen xxx
Hello Helen....how lovely to hear from you and that you are doing so well. It really is so encouraging for all the new folk joining the community with treatment yet to come. There is a good life at the end of it...just a little different.
I too can eat just about everything and even wine is back on the table, though my appetite for it is largely non existent. I could enjoy a good ale really early on and I'm OK with bread. Keep going and have a fab time rafting...The thought of that fills me with horror, mind
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
Posts like this are really inspiring, for those who are just starting out, having treatment, or on their recovery,
HMS
They are Especially posted by folk in early recovery. Us old farts 4/5+ years down the line seem so far on the horizon in the early days. Five years seemed unreachable when I was just coming out of treatment. The idea that you can be well within the year is so much more crucial
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
Ha! I wish I had seen the real AC/DC but alas it was a tribute rock night called The Classic Rock Show; which I highly recommend if they're touring near you! All the musicians were session musicians, really superb, they'd played with many the the greats and been on their albums. And the singers were incredible! They covered a lot of my faves - Led Zeppelin, Floyd, ACDC, Queen, Fleetwood Mac... 
