They've Started

Tonsil Dad
Tonsil Dad Member Posts: 488
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I said I would keep you all uptodate, well here goes. I've finished only my 6th
Rad session and now I have no taste buds whatsoever, none or very little saliva
And an earache . I new there would be side effects but I thought they would come
Later in treatment. But the good news is my Onc examined me yesterday and looked
At the tumor and said it looks to be flattening out and responding to the treatment,
So in the end it makes it all worth while I suppose. I'm also using MuGard four times
A day. I went and filled the app on the website and my dentist signed it and it cost me
$60 and six bottles were delivered two days later hope this keeps most of the mucus
And mouth sores at bay and I'm going to start again with the aloe vera swishing and
Swallowing it. I also take alternative meds for my immune system.

Well everyone I will love you and leave you for tonight.

God Blss you all

TonsilDad,

Dan.

Comments

  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #2
    Ground Hog Days...
    I describe the period you are in now as Ground Hog Days, like the movie....

    Same thing, day after day, after day, after day.....

    It'll more than likel get worse before getting better, just something we all go through.

    At least for me, around week 4 or so was the worse it got... It was like that until about 4 weeks post rads, but never got any worse.

    Hang in there brother, it's a slow process... I lost all taste and saliva for several months. But eventually, little by little, I got nearly all of both back.

    Best,
    John
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
    Ground hog days is right
    One day after another. The time will pass, and just like Bill Murray, one day it will be over...

    Pat
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #4
    Hi Dan
    Sounds like you are off to a good start; before you know it you will reach the finish line, I am pulling for you so keep up the good work.

    Hondo
  • Hal61
    Hal61 Member Posts: 655
    #5
    Ground Hog Day, very good
    Hi Dan, it's like John says, and for me it got a little blurry from one day or night to the next, to the point I often felt like an observer. I liked it that way, and it was through no effort of mine. I remember walking a path in the rug in my apartment late some nights/mornings. Couldn't sleep, and I kept a blanket on the back of the couch I passed on my march. I get cold and grab the blanket and wrap it around me, then I'd get hot and throw it back on the couch. I was by myslef so didn't have to try and act normal. Felt like a pin ball in a machine. Sometimes it was just weird enough to offer a little relief.
    Hope your time passes quickly.

    best, Hal
  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570 Member
    #6
    Ground Hog Day
    Hey Dan, I also agree with John about it being like Ground Hog Day, you just have to get thru it one day at a time. I think that you will find that some days are better than others, but always a challenge to surmount. And, yep, it is worth it in the end to win the battle with such a nasty enemy, so keep up the good fight, and take no prisioners. Yes, the adages are in full effect, but they are true.

    PATRICK
  • Jimbo55
    Jimbo55 Member Posts: 590 Member
    #7
    Dan
    Stay strong and yes it is certainly worth it when you come out the other side with a NED! Cheers.

    Jimbo
  • D Lewis
    D Lewis Member Posts: 1,581 Member
    #8
    Sounds like you are off to a good start!
    Dan, this is very do-able. You will get through this. The Ground Hog Day analogy really resonates with me. Just take it one day at a time, and don't look too far ahead. I didn't even let myself count the days till the last few.

    Deb
  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 728 Member
    #9
    D Lewis said:

    Sounds like you are off to a good start!
    Dan, this is very do-able. You will get through this. The Ground Hog Day analogy really resonates with me. Just take it one day at a time, and don't look too far ahead. I didn't even let myself count the days till the last few.

    Deb

    Right there with you
    Hey Dan,

    I am only a few days ahead of you with the RT. Friday was my 13th out of 30. It's hard not to count the days.

    My treatment is bit different than yours as my tumor/lymph nodes were removed surgically. Mostly it's just a few mouth sores and getting very hard to swallow. My taste buds are off but not completely gone yet. Beef tastes nasty and my homemade soup tasted like it had no seasoning at all. My wife said it tasted great. My RT Onc told me that my buds would be the first to go. I guess not this time.

    How is your swallowing? That is my main concern. We both need to keep that functioning or we'll start losing weight. I can live on a liquid diet if need be as long as I can swallow. The last few days I've had to use the Magic Mouthwash 15 mins before eating or drinking.

    See ya on the other side of RT.

    Tommy
  • Skiffin16
    Skiffin16 Member Posts: 8,305 Member
    #10
    tommyodavey said:

    Right there with you
    Hey Dan,

    I am only a few days ahead of you with the RT. Friday was my 13th out of 30. It's hard not to count the days.

    My treatment is bit different than yours as my tumor/lymph nodes were removed surgically. Mostly it's just a few mouth sores and getting very hard to swallow. My taste buds are off but not completely gone yet. Beef tastes nasty and my homemade soup tasted like it had no seasoning at all. My wife said it tasted great. My RT Onc told me that my buds would be the first to go. I guess not this time.

    How is your swallowing? That is my main concern. We both need to keep that functioning or we'll start losing weight. I can live on a liquid diet if need be as long as I can swallow. The last few days I've had to use the Magic Mouthwash 15 mins before eating or drinking.

    See ya on the other side of RT.

    Tommy

    DelMonte Peaches
    Tommy, one thing that I ate to keep the throat swallowing muscles working when I was pretty much on a liquid Ensure and water diet during rads was the DelMonte Sliced Peaches in Light Syrup.

    They were sold in Mason Style jars at my local grocer..

    I liked them and they would slide down with minimal effort, but enough to keep the muscles working.

    I once thought I had lost all taste, so I decided to get the unsweetened...wrong, LOL... I could definitely taste the difference.

    Best,
    John

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