Hi everyone
I haven't been on for a while so thought I should update you on my recovery. It is now 4 months since I finnished my radiotherapy and I really am feeling great.My only complaint I have is that I am still quite weak if I try and lift or do anything strenuous, I have no upper body strength, hopefully this will come back in time, also my mouth is still dry but I have learned to live with this, its not much considering what I have been through, I really am one of the lucky ones.
The best news of all is I am back singing again I had my first gig last Saturday, now I never get nervous but I was that night! I was worried incase my voice wouldn't last the night, but it was a great night and my voice was very strong which I was really surprised at.

I really believe anybody going through this horrible illness should think possitively, now I know thats easier said than done, but 7 months ago I thought that was my last gig and for a few weeks I just resigned myself to that fact, but then I got angry and thought 'no way' I will sing again even if it takes me 5 years.After 2 neck dissections and radiotherapy I am living proof that we can get through this, all the pain and misery seems along time ago and I remember thinking when am I going to feel better? well I do feel better, so anyone reading this and who are maybe just starting radiotherapy it does get better and it doesn't last forever.

Best wishes
Tracey

Good Afternoon Tracey,
Good to hear that you are on the mend.I made a very good recovery which I put down to a stubborn refusal to be beaten, seems like you are made of the same sort of stuff.
keep Smiling
John

Hello Tracey

Nice to know things are going well. Keep in touch. John's always here .

Best wishes
Vinod

So Pleased to hear you are so much better Tracey,My husband Ray is also back to normal after treatment,First follow up appt on Wednesday.We feel we have been very lucky.

Hi Tracy, Great news, so pleased to hear that you can sing, the dry mouth is a bore, but chewing gum can help; being weak is a bore, but when I look back to Feb which is only four or five months ago, I have come on a great deal, I couldn't life a pack of 6 bottles of mineral water, now no probs, so you have to build up slowly, and if you feel a bit tired don't push it have a rest; I found riding a bike on my holiday in France has helped me a great deal, getting the legs moving and takes your mind of things. Great News the voice is back , BIG BEAR HUGS

Tracy, I am also a musician / singer (or was) as I no longer gig and have no plans to do any more recording work. You might want to look at my website where you can listen to some of my stuff. http://www.ost.me.uk
How's your mouth when singing for long periods? Is the dryness making things difficult?

Hi Steve
The dry mouth is a big problem when singing, but because I have had it so long I know how to deal with it. I have constant supply of water on stage!7 months ago I was told I wouldn't sing again, so I proved them wrong.So a dry mouth I can cope with.
Have a look at my web site, you can listen to some of my music too. The photos were before treatment, I am 3 stone lighter now!!
http://www.traxstudio.fsnet.co.uk

Love
Tracey

Hi again Tracey. Had a look around your site and enjoyed the browse. Seems you have plenty of gigs lined up and i hope it wont be too much of a strain on the vocal chords. If i lived nearer Scotland i'd come and watch you. Let me know when you gig down south.... good luck with the shows.

Hi Tracy, really impressed you are back singing again. You are an inspiration to us all. Like Steve think you should do a gig down here so we can all come and see you and hopefully sing along with you!
Sue

I had awful problems with Dry Mouth since completing treatment for base of tongue cancer in July 2010. Constant drinking, gels, sprays and synthetic saliva’ 24/7/ became unbearable. I found in the US a Colonel Richard Niemtzow who discovered, developed and still practices his Dry Mouth treatment in Maryland.USA. He also created battlefield acupuncture and is the world renowned authority on these treatments.

I exhausted places in the UK to be treated with his protocol. so visited him July 9th, 2011 and within the first of only two sessions was able to produce saliva again. No more gels, sprays and synthetic saliva since this date and unbroken sleep since.

I was profoundly affected at the results of the treatment so started in the UK The Dry Mouth Foundation. www.drymouthfoundation.org. but you could visit the colonel via his website www.n5ev.com

Let me know how you get on.

Terry Gannon.
Dry Mouth Foundation.