Hi all,
A progress report on my condition one year since cessation of radiotherapy. My condition was a tumor on the base of tongue (between T1 and T2 I think). Diagnosed in UK 3 months after initial symptoms (I wish it had been diagnosed earlier by first ENT doctor in USA).

Upon return to UK (mid April 2004) my UK ENT doctor jumped on it and tumor was lasered out and I received 30 bouts of radiotherapy. These sessions ended 26 September, 2005.

During my first year I have experienced all the usual pains and swallowing difficulties, dry mouth, lack of saliva etc but not to the suffering level of many others as reported on this forum. Throughout the period there has been a steady improvement in my overall condition. Remaining difficulties are lack of full taste and dryness of mouth. Little to complain of but oh!, how I wish for the return of my taste buds.

Four months into my recovery period from radiotherapy my doctors allowed me to return to my holiday home in the USA for 3 monthly periods followed by two months in UK (with three check ups during each UK stay).

Since during the post therapy recovery period all the doctors are doing is monitoring the recovery this arrangement seems quite sensible to me. We had come to the arrangement that, should I experience anything untoward, I would email for advice and, if deemed necessary by the doctor, fly back to the UK. So far this has worked well.

I am very hopefull that my recovery will continue in my second year to restore me to my pre-sickness condition. However, I am aware that maybe this is as good as it gets!

Regards all, Fridge

Good to see you Fridge and glad to hear you are coping with your appointments in UK.

My taste buds are much recovered 3 years on. I'd say it took 2 years minimum for me. What really helped was taking zinc tablets. Try those little one a day zinc pellets by Boots. My carton is ornage and has 60 in it. they have 15 mg zinc in them which is liquid inside a tiny dark green easy to swallow pellet. I had some elesewhrer that were too large to even swallow. I like these a lot and so just got the container.
Product 5 000167 057454.

Good luck for the second year. Saliva does get abit better. the worst problem continues to be saliva or texture related.

Fridge, So glad your back on. I was worried.
I'll pray for you.
Cathy

Hi Fridge, good to see you back, I've been wondering how you were. Glad to hear you are improving.
Pauline, thanks for the tip re Zinc, I immediatly purchased some, I'll let you know how we get on.