hey guys, i am very new to this kind of thing. my mom had tongue cancer removed the day after christmas and went through radiation. she just finished with it on wednesday...thank god. now that she is done she is having adverse reactions to being off the radiation. she can't talk (which she could do even on the worst days) and she is coughing, occasionally bloody. we have called the doctor and he says everything is normal, but since she can't get any kind of real food other than an energy drink into her, this can't be "normal" right?!? if you have any suggestions or ideas PLEASE fill me in....i am really in the dark about all of this....

Hello Collegesis
It seems odd to me that your Mum could have come this far through surgery and treatment without being fitted out with an alternative feeding method in the way of either a nasogastric tube or a PEG.
The symptoms she is experiencing probably are quite 'normal' considering what she has been through however she will need to be able to take in a lot of nourishment and it isn't going to happen orally. It seems your health care system over there is beyond belief so I don't know how you go about making waves but that's what we would do here. Go and sit outside the dr's door til he sees you and REALLY listens to what your Mum's issues are and instigates a proper care/feeding regime for her.
Good luck, keep us posted. You will find all the support you need here.
Best wishes from Down Under
Deborah

Hi! Collegesis911,
Welcome to the site and feel good that at this site many if not all your questions will be replied to and answered to the best of our knowledge(Dr Joshi is the best at the medical queries), as for me I have been through the RT saga and believe me at times it wasn't pleasant, there will be days that may run into weeks when the only nourishment your Mother will be able to consume will be liquid BUT accept this as further down the line your Mum will be back to some normality. If you check back on my previous postings it will give you some advice and it will also explain what has happenned to me and others who have gone down this road. It has been 6 months since I finished my RT and I am at a good weight and am able to eat most things that are softish and with a sauce of some desciption AND plenty of drinks(alcohol does not fare too well but Brandy and Coke does).
I wish your Mother well in this trying time and yourself for the help that you are going to bestow on your Mother.
"Be Strong"
Keep in touch, our thoughts are with you.
Love Trev