Food

Hi Colster1975 

What have you tried to eat? 
Are you still having the acupuncture?

Can you chew gum? 
Sorry for all the questions. 

Dear Colster1975

I can tolerate chocolate or strawberry flavoured mousse. I’ve got strawberry flavoured Extra chewing gum. I’ve had 5 sessions of acupuncture. I’m owed 1 session, I paused it because I’d had oral thrush again.

in all honesty, I’m terrified to try normal foods. My SALT and Dietician have said that the fear is normal. They’re referring me to a lymphoedema nurse and, going to ‘video’ my swallow (because liquids try to go the wrong way still)

No need to apologise for the questions

Dear Colster1975, when did your treatment finish? I know how frustrating and upsetting it is not being able to eat what you fancy or used to eat. Your taste buds will improve with time. My treatment finished 3 years ago, even though my mouth is very dry and I still cannot eat everything I used to, I tend to focus and what I can eat and I do look forward to going out for a meal (it does take me longer than everybody else to eat....bit i love the social aspect of food.). I cannot eat meat but I love fish,seafood and vegetables. Let me know what you enjoy and can eat at the moment and I will see whether I can send you some recipes to help you enjoy eating again. You need to take baby steps but things will improve with time. 

I'm over two years out of Chemoradio, I thought that the enjoyment of eating and drinking had gone forever but it turned out not to be the case, a year after treatment finished things had returned to a near normal, I can now eat and enjoy most food and drink. My dietician and CNS stated that I should keep on challenging myself with different types of food and drink.

Thanks all for your replies folks, there are times when I feel alone. I have no mrs, family don’t understand (which is an accomplishment considering how many family members have had cancer in the past).

I'm thinking the same, that I should challenge myself. Starting tomorrow, I think I will challenge myself and, keep a log of everything for my dieticians sake.

Thank you all again

Fantastic! Remember we are all here for you. 

Fab1

Just a thought. Liquids are much easier to “go down the wrong way”. Try something soft like eggs scrambled with Philly to keep them soft, poached eggs, ready brek with cream added. A toasted tea cake smothered in butter goes down fairly easily too. Have a warm drink handy and take a tiny sip with each mouthful to act as a proxy saliva.