The ability to eat

Options
CrimsonRacing
CrimsonRacing Member Posts: 27 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Has anyone here who underwent head and neck treatments been able to return to completely normal eating?

I'm well over 12 months out of rad and chemo and still cannot swallow anything other than pudding or very thin mashed potatoes........I can do broth but nothing solid at all......

My throat is 1cm and dilation has been discussed,but I wonder if my ability to eat like I used to will ever return........

I am becoming very frustrated and just needed some input.

Richard

Comments

  • fisrpotpe
    fisrpotpe Member Posts: 1,349 Member
    #2
    Options
    Not me
    No I have not. I know many people who have the dilation and more than once, for everyone it has helped. It does take more than one for most people.

    It took me two plus years to be able to eat more than just the soft mushy foods. Strange but i liked to take frosted flakes in mouth and added ice water and chew them fine and swallow. I love the crunch sound and feel but because they were fine i could swallow easy.

    I did not have dilation, it was not an option to me back in the accent years when the radiation,chemo and surgery started to become a know success.

    Frustration is fine, just do now dwell on it.

    Have you tried very moist dry chicken thighs little bit a a time, very moist and like a slider. Also sweet corn with lots of butter is like a slider down the throat also.

    I am sure there will be lots of reply's for you, this is the place to come and good to see you here reaching out for help and venting.

    John
  • robert77dr
    robert77dr Member Posts: 54
    #3
    Options
    Eating
    Richard,
    I am 11 monnths pass treatment I still caint eat very well I had my throat dilated about 1 1/2 months ago my Doctor said I want be able to swallow very well untill I have saliva back I have tryed Med's for it but none has worked for me. I am on soup and soft food no bread It want go down. The one thing i can eat good and taste is peanut butter pie with a lot of cool whip on top.
    You will find a lot of good info on this site.
    Best of luck to you.
    Robert
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #4
    Options
    I've been dilated 3 times.
    I've been dilated 3 times. Once pre cancer and twice after. I could eat nothing after radiation. It's not perfect now, but the two dilations have greatly improved my quality of life.
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #5
    Options
    Richard
    So sorry that you all are still having problems....

    I didn't have a dissection, but did have the tonsils removed along with sixteen weeks all together of chemo and the 35 daily rads.

    It took awhile to get my taste and saliva back, but eventually I have.

    I only had the seven week or so period during and after rads where I could mainy only take in fluids and a very small amount of peaches or something similar.

    Hoping that they find some resolve and a solution to your continued situation.

    Thoughts and Prayers,
    John
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #6
    Options
    Hi Richard
    I am almost 9 years out from my first treatment and not sure if I know what is Normal anymore. I just take it one day at a time and whatever I can do that is normal to me. I have not been dilated yet because of having the radiation twice and being so long out of treatment the doctors are afraid of what could happen, not sure what that means.

    Hondo
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #7
    Options
    fisrpotpe said:

    Not me
    No I have not. I know many people who have the dilation and more than once, for everyone it has helped. It does take more than one for most people.

    It took me two plus years to be able to eat more than just the soft mushy foods. Strange but i liked to take frosted flakes in mouth and added ice water and chew them fine and swallow. I love the crunch sound and feel but because they were fine i could swallow easy.

    I did not have dilation, it was not an option to me back in the accent years when the radiation,chemo and surgery started to become a know success.

    Frustration is fine, just do now dwell on it.

    Have you tried very moist dry chicken thighs little bit a a time, very moist and like a slider. Also sweet corn with lots of butter is like a slider down the throat also.

    I am sure there will be lots of reply's for you, this is the place to come and good to see you here reaching out for help and venting.

    John

    the things we do with food
    I had to smile at your food comments. I haven't been able to eat anything like normally sincce my radical reconstructive surgery a year ago. I have significant swallowing trouble and at the same time, liquids tend to go backwards out my nose. This makes restaurant meals an adventure!

    Man, what I do to taste food. I frequently chew on things to get the taste, whether I can really swallow them or not. After chewing I generally try to make a slurry out of whatever fluid I have on hand in order to swallow. Yesterday it was fritos corn chips, cheese dip and water.

    Coke doesn't taste good as an additve to me. Ensure does. It amazes me what I'm willing to mix together to get all this done.

Discussion Boards