I am recuperating (into my 4th week since cessation of chemo and radiotherapy) my throat and swallowing abilities are so sore that I am still eating through my peg in my stomach which I do not like. I had /have base of tongue cancer, and I notice several people on this forum are still eating this way after several months/years, the question is what prevents people starting to eat normally again via the mouth, is it the soreness when swallowing or is it a pyschological problem due to the vomit mechanism being activated so many times previously that it is all too easy to vomit at the slightest provocation, or is it a saliva problem??

hows the eating going? my father just had tonuge surgery and cant sallow at all, they tried a feeding tube, but he was to sore for it...its IV for now...then the stomach tube...can you eat yet? how long did it take?

I am still not eating via the mouth due to still having a sore throat and a lack of saliva so I have heard that it can take quite a long time to get back to normal ( last treatment was 2 months ago) the doctor tells me it is still early days yet so be patient - hard I know...

Hi John, I had part of the base of my tongue removed, so eating has been difficult and also swallowing, I started with rice cooked in water, which looked like wall paper past, and then on to rice pudding, which I put eggs in, talk to Dr Vinod, but you have to get the swallow reflex going, and all of this is more than painful, is is a very slow process, but you just have to keep trying. BIG BEAR HUGS

Hi John

By doing a search (click on the Find menu, and uncheck the box that limits the search to this forum) for 'eating' you will find all the past advice post on this issue. Some of it will be helpful.

It will get better but takes time.

Best wishes
Vinod