Connect
2 and a half weeks into recovery…
I had 33 radiation treatments and 4 chemo treatments for HPV cancer of the left tonsil/base of neck area… last radiation hit was 2.5 weeks ago. Surgery back in February to remove primary.
Good news is I have had 2 negative NavDx results in last two months.
Bad news is this recovery from radiation has been fairly brutal. Insane amount of phlegm the first week and a half, which seems to be slowly diminishing but replaced by the common dry mouth side effect. Mornings are the worst, as my mouth feels almost glued shut. Energy levels are decent, I’ve been to work past week and a half. Trying to stay positive but what a grind….
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.
Connect
I had 30 radiation treatments and TORS surgery for HPV cancer of the base of tongue and neck . I am 3 years post treatment. Today I have very little issues so hopefully this will give you some encouragement. I believe I peaked with phlem , throat sores, etc about 3 weeks after radiation stopped. Then the slow climb back to the new normal. The thick phlem was an issue but ever so slowly faded and my salivary glands started back working. I can eat and drink anything I want now. I would say I am about 90% back to normal or a "new normal" as some would say. Hang in there. It will SLOWLY improve. God speed.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsI'm just past 2 yrs after treatment for HPV tonsil cancer. Couldn't take more radiation after 30 treatments and 3 chemos. No surgery. I've tested cancer free since then as judged by NavDx and petscans. My lingering aftereffects are phlegm, dry mouth and altered taste. Hoping these improve over the next year as yours have.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@longboat1 just wondering…when you say “altered taste”…is food enjoyable for you at this point? I am eating some things, but everything is “off” - so not very pleasant. I realize it’s only been 4 1/2 weeks from my last radiation but I worry about long term effects…
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsMy experience with loss of taste after 24 radiation treatments lasted a couple mos. or more.
And then could only taste the 1st bite or two so had to force feed myself to not lose too much weight.
Stuff like donuts, other sweets, bananas ,breads, yogurt ,cheese and meat tasted gross . Most everything did really.
Tried all different kinds of food but it was difficult finding anything enjoyable.
4 mos. out now most all tastes are back from start of meal to finish so gaining some weight back now .
I ended up eating a lot of rolled outs with crushed walnuts and dates. At least the texture was soft for a sore mouth .
Loss of taste really threw and wrench into the pleasure of eating but you will get there in time,
Hang in there you are making progress every day.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionLike woodsy1 my taste sometimes lessens after a few bites. Some of that may be due to less saliva. Drinking water helps some and aids swallowing. I had swallowing therapy after my treatment. That really helped. Even now I swallow some foods with difficulty. Salty, carmel flavors are good. Red wine tastes sweet on the front of my tongue but turns bitter when it hits my throat. Most fruits are not very sweet. Spaghetti and most pastas go down well. About a year ago I had 8 sessions of acupuncture. It was recommended by my ENT. There are several write-ups about acupuncture improving saliva but it didn't help me. It seems like everyone has different responses to the effects of radiation. I hope you either recover completely or are able to adjust to your new normal.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@kent8692 it took well over a year for me to recover most tastes. Sugar is no longer as sweet, meaning my favorite cake, Silver White, no longer satisfies my cravings. Hopefully, you will do as well as many others here have. A lot has change in the treatment of HNC in the past 20 years. Good luck!