← Return to Your tips for recovery after 35 radiation treatments for tonsil cancer

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@dragonfire
I just finished my 35 radiation treatments 6 weeks ago for stage 3 base of tongue cancer involving lymph nodes on both sides. I was in the same place that you are when I was done treatment, although I had a PEG tube and couldn’t eat anything.

It gets better, I am finally starting to get my appetite back and some things are tasting “normal” again. I would suggest using all of the Biotene products (mouth spray, toothpaste and mouthwash) to help with your dry mouth. The throat pain will get better, but you may need to manage it with analgesics. I am still on oral morphine that I use occasionally when the pain is irritating me. For constipation, try to get as much fluid as you can, exercise even in small amounts, and if necessary use a product like Restoralax every other day to maintain bowel movements.

I love all of the encouragement that this forum has given me. I am much more positive in the past few weeks, and I can feel myself getting better. Hang in there, the next few weeks will be really tough, but hopefully you will soon start to feel better.

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Replies to "@dragonfire I just finished my 35 radiation treatments 6 weeks ago for stage 3 base of..."

@scottmcf1431

I appreciate your help I have been forced to understand this is baby steps and that is not part of my makeup which makes this harder. I use the Biotene a few times during the day and before bed. I have a couple mouth ulcers the doctor said would heal on their own. They have me on Oxycodone during the day for pain which is the contributor to the constipation. I am hoping by the end of the week I can finish taking all the pills I am not a pill person.

I am glad I found the forum since it has given me people to talk to going through the same hell. My family is tired of hearing my daily complaints about this. I am glad I can still work part of the day. I get too tired to commit to a complete day yet.