Hi Ron in LA,

Welcome to the forum. I was interested to note that your radiotherapy period was from March to June 04. Was his continuous? How many weeks did you endure?

Also, your recovery from the treatment seems very quick. Lucky you. Hoping all is well with you in the future. Regards, Fridge

I've been lucky, compared to the stories I've been reading on these boards.

My radiation was 35 sessions, 5 per week for 7 weeks. It actually took 8 weeks because I was getting so sick towards the end that the doctor gave me a week off to heal and try to put some weight on.

My last treatment was 5/7/2004, and I am feeling much better now, though eating is a struggle and I get weird, flu-like exhaustion symptoms some evenings (gone in the morning, I call it the five-o'clock-flu).

I was lucky that surgery was not necessary after the radiation eradicated my tumors.

Hi Ron in LA,

Thanks for your reply. So your last treatment was 7th May 04? (5/7/2004 the American dating method?). The current symptoms you describe are being experienced some 7 months plus after treatment?

I just wish to confirm this to ready myself as to the possible recovery period I may expect in my case. I am only 3 months since treatment ended.

Good luck with your eating. But tell me, is your stuggle with eating due to lack of taste buds or sore throat/swallowing?

Regards, Fridge

Hi Ron and Fridge, I have the wilting flower, by four o'clock impossible to do anything. After rad treatment, neck is always hot, nine months since treatment; still no tast except very salty or very sweet.Happy Holidays

The difficulty eating is a combination of things. My taste buds are altered. Like Garance, I respond to either very salty or very sweet, and everything else is kind of lost. My tongue and throat are sensitive to spicy or acidic foods. I have a minimal amount of saliva so bready foods tend to turn into a gummy ball inside my mouth. Swallowing is difficult, and some foods tend to stay stuck to the inside of my throat. Its a little like trying to go sledding when there is no snow.

Hi Ron and Garance,

Oh dear! your comments sound so familiar. Particularly in respect of very salty, very sweet intakes.

Fortunately I do not suffer continuous hot neck. However, as with the experiences of you both, I suppose I must resign myself to an extended recovery period. I will pray otherwise. Regards, Fridge