Back to normal

Roar
Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone! I hope everyone gets to drink an extra insure as we watch our relatives goble down burgers, hot dogs and steaks, just as I will. Actually I am just being a little sarcastic as this use to be one of my favorite weekends. I read a lot of posts by others and I hear a lot about returning to normal. So I was thinking - here I am 5 months+ post treatment. My life is back to normal except for:

1- neuropathy 

2- hearing loss and ringing in the ears

3- loss of a significant amount of taste

4- inability to speak loudly

5- lymphatic fluid under my chin 

6- swallowing problems

7- dry mouth

8- coughing up whatever that crap in our throats is every day just to clear the passage way

All of the things I mentioned above get better little by little- so slowly that I don't even notice on a daily basis but know they are getting better. Everything I have mentioned above have gotten a little better over the last two months. And some things like the fatigue and not being able to sleep have almost been completely put to bed and are no longer issues. I use to love to eat, and was constantly trying to lose weight. Now I don't love to eat anymore, but it is getting better- I love my insure now. And am always trying to gain a little weight. But all in all I am back to normal - after all- life is about change and this Memorial Day weekend I am great full to be around my familly and friends relatively healthy and back to normal even though I will be holding an insure instead of a bottle of beer. I expected to be where I am today - 4 weeks after treatment and was very disappointed I was not going to be able to enjoy the holidays. I see now and understand that recovery from this treatment is measured in months not days or weeks. 

Have a great weekend everyone - and if you are not able to enjoy food at this moment do not be discouraged- things do get better

Comments

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #2
    thank you

    I'm brand new here and wanted to say THANK YOU for the encouragement.  I've had 2 major surgeries in March and am halfway through radiation.  I have to admit...I'm miserable!  I've been reading so many posts today and am feeling much more encouraged.  I know it's going to take time, and it's frustrating, but I appreciate hearing the truth and hope from all the members on here!

     

    Happy Memorial Day weekend!  I feel blessed to be alive and will enjoy my pizza and milkshakes later on.  At least I'll have a "later on"...

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #3
    TracyLynn72 said:

    thank you

    I'm brand new here and wanted to say THANK YOU for the encouragement.  I've had 2 major surgeries in March and am halfway through radiation.  I have to admit...I'm miserable!  I've been reading so many posts today and am feeling much more encouraged.  I know it's going to take time, and it's frustrating, but I appreciate hearing the truth and hope from all the members on here!

     

    Happy Memorial Day weekend!  I feel blessed to be alive and will enjoy my pizza and milkshakes later on.  At least I'll have a "later on"...

    You R lucky

    you are lucky- I could not eat anything with tomato sauce including pizza from 2 weeks into treatment until over month after treatment- maybe longer- be careful with the stuff with high acid levels. Good luck my fellow warrior and enjoy whatever you can for as long as can - you have keep up your caloric intake- 

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #4
    getting closer to "food normal"

    Roar,

    Today I tried some fresh (local) Oregon Strawberries and they were great, that means there will be desserts and jams on the list for this year. One year ago it was 99% smoothies.  It doesn’t just get better, it gets strawberry shortcake better.

    Smiling in Oregon,

    Matt

  • Roar
    Roar Member Posts: 269 Member
    #5
    CivilMatt said:

    getting closer to "food normal"

    Roar,

    Today I tried some fresh (local) Oregon Strawberries and they were great, that means there will be desserts and jams on the list for this year. One year ago it was 99% smoothies.  It doesn’t just get better, it gets strawberry shortcake better.

    Smiling in Oregon,

    Matt

    Mmmmmm

    I am jealous - I do eat jams and cream cheese on toasted bread and bagels, it's just I can't taste the jam- I am almost there. But sweets still taste rather salty. Have a great weekend. What I would give for a fresh Oregon strawberry dipped in chocolate and being able to fully taste it. Enjoy your berries! 

    jealous in NY,

    Ralph

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #6
    Yup...improvements come in degrees

    not leaps and bounds (wouldn't it be fun to wake up one morning and all your taste had returned?!....what a rush).  I'm 4 months ahead of you and for my meal I had cheddar and brocolli cream soup....not that far from Ensure, but at least it's hot, and I can taste the first 8 bites.  I won't be doing the steaks, burgers, or dogs either....it's better than pushing up daisies...LOL.

    I'm hoping to follow in Matt's footsteps....that another 4 months will give me fruit back....I MISS fruit!

    p

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #7
    Roar said:

    You R lucky

    you are lucky- I could not eat anything with tomato sauce including pizza from 2 weeks into treatment until over month after treatment- maybe longer- be careful with the stuff with high acid levels. Good luck my fellow warrior and enjoy whatever you can for as long as can - you have keep up your caloric intake- 

    you R lucky

    OH goodness...no, I couldn't eat pizza right now if someone threatened me!  I'm only able to handle soup, jello, smoothies, etc..  I was just saying I'd enjoy all that other stuff sometime down the road.  

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