Hi I am a 37 year old mom that just completed my cancer treatment. I had a radical neck disection Lumpectomy and tonsilectomy, Was only stage 2a but had 6 weeks of radiation.I am feeling quite down about the whole thing I can only hope that it is gone forever I dont think I could take another day of treatment. I have lost my sense of taste and have a hard time swallowing. I refused to get a feeding tube because i have had lots of complications with surgery and drugs, I was already a small person and now I am whisp of a girl. I miss eating have always had an huge appitite (Gave 5 brothers a run at the table) though I still have my appitite I don't have any sense of taste, carrots and bananas are the only thing that tastes the way it should and those don't do much for keeping the pounds on. I feel like I am not ever going to be the same again. I know it has only been a couple days but I can hardly wait til I can start chowing down again. I just want to enjoy eating is it ever going to happen?

Hi Kerry
I finished R/T last September and like you had no taste, things are better since christmas, beginning to get back some taste it is never going to be the same but its better than it was keep positive it will get better.today I must have stood on hungry ground I cant be fed I never thought that day would ever come back.
I know it is awful when you are hungry and wanting food, I think you are lucky to be able to taste carrots and bananas I dont think I could taste anything for ages I lost 3 stone since R/T although I could afford to lose now I want it back nothing left to wear. I hope it all comes back soon for you, with children you need your energy.it's not fair that anybody has to go through this are you useing any of the drinks I didn't now I wished I had forced them down
best wishes
Noreen

Kerry,

What are of Ohio area you in. I am just across the river in ky. To help get some calories in I drank the Kroger brand of ensure. That was during my radiation January thru March last year and I kept drinking them till about June for breakfast just for the calories. I feel your pain I am a mom as well diagnosed at 30 and am now 32. I have two boys.

I made it thru a hemiglosectomy and the radical neck dissection with no problem. The radiation was the killer as far as eating I lost 54 lbs total and last May they threatened a blood transfusion or iron pills. I took the iron pills and have been fine as far as blood counts go.

On the down side last April I was given an all clear. In October I went for my six month check up. It took them a few scans and a biopsy to decide the cancer had spread to my lungs. I have three tumors. I just completed my 4th chemo yesterday. We are going to rescan again. The last scan was showing change and thinning out. So I may have surgery may not or just maybe 2 more chemos.

I am not trying to scare you but do keep an eye on your lungs that is usually the next place it moves if it does. Not always the case. I was also told watch bones and spleen.

If you have any questions feel free to ask I am one year out from radiation. So as far as eating I eat almost everything I did before besides spicy food. I have found some salsa I can eat. I am getting back in to chips and pizza sauce I had to be careful with. I really handle Larosa's if you are in the cinci area. Frozen pizza I can only do Red Baron. I ate a lot of pudding during my treatment so now can't tolerate it much. I also did not go for the peg either I was quite over weight to begin with so I could spare a few.

I also have Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Primary was the tongue. My radiation completion date was 3/12/09!

Best of Luck

Pam

Hi Kerry,

My partner had tonsil cancer and similar treatment to you without a feeding tube. Lost about 2.5 stone His treatment ended November 2008 and I think his taste started to come back properly in about March/April. A year on he is back to enjoying everything except wine - eats loads of chili and has put all of the weight he lost back on!!

Don't despair you will enjoy chow again hopefully the next month will see huge improvements in taste.

Best of luck
Cathy

Hi Kerry. You're bound to be down at the moment with all you've been through but hang in there. Things will improve, slowly, but they will improve.
I'm a bit further on than a lot of people but I have been eating what I want, drinking what I want (too much red wine for sure) and doing what I want for a long time now.
Keep your chin up.
Hagg.

KERRY
I TO HAVE THE SAME THING, LOSE OF TASTE AND MY MOUTH IS DRY THE DR TOLD ME TO TAKE ZINC TABS 3 TIMES A DAY WITH FOOD HE SAID IT WOULD BOOST AND SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF TASTE. THEY COME IN 40 AND 50 MGS TABS. HE SAID EITHER ONE WOULD WORK.

Hi Kerry
I had much the same surgery as you, followed by 6 weeks of radiotherapy.
The operation was 5 years ago today, and yes, you move on and recover.
Sense of taste was helped with zinc tablets, and came back gradually. Weight came back as well, but took about 6 months before I was back to strength.
Exercise helps a lot, both in terms of rebuilding the body and boosting apetite.
Good luck!

200 minutes is right I rekon. I really started picking up properly when I started exercising. I threw myself into it for a couple years, it only lasted until I felt really recovered and then I started slacking off again but it definately helped.