I know you guys are tired of the "How long after" posts...

Jamie,

I only took Zophran a couple of times, the added benefit of constipation did not make it more attractive (I know you know what I mean).

As for the funky throat feel, it can last for a long time, but it starts improving at about 2 weeks post.  Today, my throat feels normal as long as I don’t swallow, cough or talk too much.  If I do, I am reminded on how I got here.  It is not bad, just different and still improving.

Anyway, timeline:

Funny feeling = still feels funny, more of a new-normal

Swollen throat = about 12 weeks, all gone, time for 1^st post PET

Gagging = always there if you are not careful, I can gag choke or cough from swallowing water.  No gagging like during treatments, it is more of a gentleman’s gag (you can do it in public).  Gagging can be avoided if you watch your P’s & Q’s.

“How long after” are great questions, there are no wrong answers.

Matt

P.S.  My mask is waiting?

For me, it took about 6 weeks, but the placement of cancer for me gave me a pretty persistent weird area at the back of my throat and I think that dragged recovery out for a while. For example, I had real trouble swallowing liquids and food--they got stuck on swollen tissue in my throat. So it may go more quickly for you.

Hope this helps, and congrats on being so close to done!

fishmanpa said:

Everyone is Different

Hi Jamie,

I haven't been around much over the last few months but I figured I'd pop in and drop a comment or two on the boards.

You've heard the "Everyone is Different" mantra by now and recovery is much the same. As you know, you'll be cooking for a while so don't expect to feel any better (probably worse) for a while. "Generally", give it 4-6 weeks before you turn the corner. 3-4 months until the next hurdle. I'm 8 months post and I still have another 4-5 months before I get to what would be considered the "new normal". I have my side effect issues and they're not fun but "it is what it is" as they say. Hang in there. The ride isn't over for a while.

Positive thoughts

"T"

 

What he said....

JG

Jim used Zofran minimally: he had a shot with every daily radiation treatment that was intended to minimize nausea and it worked well.

I will say in Jim's case there was minimal weight loss until about 3 months post radiation and then it was significant in spite of the fact Jim was consuming an enormous amount of carefully counted calories.  His bedtime snack had more calories than most people eat in a normal day.  Continue to watch your weight and notify your doctor if you start losing weight: it happened so quickly for JIm I was afraid the cancer was not really gone, in spite of good scans to the contrary.

It was a blessing that Jim's appetite held and he really never stopped eating anything he wanted, although I consciously moved us to softer foods, i.e., spaghetti with meat sauce versus crunchy tacos, etc.

Congratulations on concluding treatment!

ronneymoss said:

It was two weeks after the last radiation

Hello,

  I am new here.  The "how long" questions are why I found this site.  I finished radiation last October.  It was two weeks until I was not gagging.  Food began to taste like food again in a month.  I am wondering how long until my stamina is back to "normal."

Ronney

First Welcome...

I can't answer your question as for "normal", I'm abi-normal..., LOL. 

As for energy and stamina, it's pretty much the same answer to a lot. 

Its all different, because we are all different. 

More calories, food, water, and etc.., will bring more energy, and that stamina.  Exercise, once you can with more energy, will also return and built quickly, though maybe a little slow at first. 

Calories like mentioned though, will give you more energy, and when the body isn't using as much trying to heal itself from the war you have been in, that will aid in more energy and stamina too. 

Best

John