POT and Cancer.

jivetime

Hi, Guys and Gals. I am a voice actor, and I was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2023.

I have an animated character I created a long time ago, and now he will tell my story of survival. His name is "Cecil Jenkins". I hope you find my video inspiring, informative, and entertaining.

[removed by CSN Support Team]

wbcgaruss

Hello, jivetime, and welcome to the CSN H&N discussion forum.

Glad to have you on board, but sorry you had to join the club nobody wants in.

Michael, excellent video accurately describing the Head and Neck Cancer experience. Many others and I have gone through this lifesaving type of treatment, and it works, but as you say, I found this is a tough but doable long haul, and the hardest thing you will do in your life. It can take up to a year or more in some cases to feel normal again or basically fully recovered. It can leave lasting effects like dry mouth, neuropathy, less taste, etc. all to be dealt with, as you adjust to the new normal, or as we call it sometimes theabi-normal. For me, one other thing was a lack of confidence to do complicated things or take on new and challenging things, but most of these things work themselves out, and you learn to deal with the rest.

Our Motto here is NEGU (Never Ever Give Up)\

Wishing You The Best

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

I would also recommend you check out the Superthread at the top of the head and neck home page there is loads of information in there with links and you will find it helpful.

jivetime

Thank you, Russ. I stopped smoking pot 7 days ago. I am waiting for my weight to level off. When it drops, I get nervous. It normally drops about ten pounds after I stop smoking pot, but now it has dropped about 15 pounds. It has only been 7 days. I am starting to eat better, and my appetite is getting better. Yeah, I will give it a month before I get nervous. I feel great. Share my video with anyone you want. Fun to make.

wbcgaruss

Michael, glad you are off the Pot.
A great helper during treatment, but something not to take with you.

As for losing weight…

They say in recovery and healing, your body uses a lot of calories, and you need to eat lots if you can.

Just eat all you can as per your appetite and taste, which is many times affected by treatment, and this recovery from this treatment is a slow process.

It is a slow-moving process, not like the common cold or flu, where recovery is measured in days and weeks. H&N cancer treatment recovery is a slow but sure process measured in weeks and months, and can take as much as a year or more after starting treatment to feel your old self again, but you will get there.

One option I used during treatment and recovery, or anytime to counteract weight loss, was using Boost VHC (Very High Calorie). It has 530 calories in an 8-ounce serving. I have found the regular Boost in stores, but the VHC I always had to buy online. I recently bought a case, and Hey Med Supply has the best price on it, and they ship fast.

https://heymedsupply.com/oral-supplement-boost-very-high-calorie-very-vanilla-flavor-ready-to-use-8-oz-carton-00043900894348-case-24/

https://heymedsupply.com/

I also have a few weight gain recipes I can post or send to you I have collected from the forum with folks' ideas and recipes, and many are smoothies people make.

Thanks for the option to share your video. I may put it on my channel with some other cancer help videos-appreciated.

I am very thankful that you are now cancer-free and can go forward and live life without that hanging over you.

Wishing You The Best

Take Care, God Bless

Russ

jivetime

Thank you Russ. Yes, I will get the Boost. I was using Insure, but I think Boost has more calories. Yes, I recommend pot for the journey, but I agree that getting off it as soon as you can would be wise. I have been Cancer free for over two years. But also using pot for those two years. My body is adjusting. Yes, share my video anywhere you like with my blessings.