Connect
← Return to Why can't I recover? Can't swallow, smell or taste
Discussion
Why can't I recover? Can't swallow, smell or taste
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: Sep 26 8:45pm | Replies (21)Comment receiving replies
I just finished Radiation and Chemotherapy. Initially I had lingual tonsillectomy. After surgery the pet scan recognized still active throat cancer . The surgeon recommended a second surgery. After the pain I went thru with my throat I decided on Treatments. 35 Radiation and 7 Chemotherapy with Hydration twice a week. My weight went from 215 before surgery to 170 after treatments. The radiation of course makes your throat feel like pins and needles and the sores in the back of my mouth . They inserted a feeding tube for nutrition and hydration . I’m in the recovery mode and have to train myself to swallow.
I also lost my taste after the Lingual Surgery hoping it comes back. My hearing also got worse during the treatments. Using the feeding tube I wasn’t hydrating my throat and mouth with water and had nasty dry mouth . That breaks up the flem in more throat .
I was diagnosed with HPV Virus
Replies to "I just finished Radiation and Chemotherapy. Initially I had lingual tonsillectomy. After surgery the pet scan..."
Connect
Sounds like you've been through some serious challenges. Did they remove any of your salivary glands? Or is your dry mouth a result of surgery and or treatment? I am recovering from tongue cancer surgery 2 years ago. I know that getting my one remaining salivary gland to work was a huge challenge. I used my homemade pickle juice. I would touch the pickle to the healthy, non surgical part of my tongue and that would trigger saliva. I also used Xylimelts mints that stick on your gums to keep my mouth moist at night. Some folks use them in the daytime, too. Available at Wal-Mart and Amazon. I used baking soda rinse and had a container I used as a spitoon. That was great for healing and later during treatment. Take care.