eating at eight weeks

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stephenaudrey
stephenaudrey Member Posts: 32
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Tomorrow is eight weeks post radiation/chemo for squamous cell carcinoma of my facial nerve.  Earlier this week I tried to eat a fried egg and gave up on it.  Today I tried some chicken rice soup.  I tasted it, I enjoyed it and I had no pain.  I even went back and got a bigger bowl and polished that off too.  Tonight I think I'm going to try pasta.  I hope I have turned a corner here.  I still have a sore under my tounge on the radiation side but I tried to use my good side to chew.  I even ate a Dorito just for an experiment - no problemo.  Now I'm chewing sugarless gum.  It makes my mouth water and makes it more comfortable to talk.  After so many bad days watching everone else eating all the wonderfull food its pretty exciting to be getting back into the eating business even in such a preliminary way. 

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  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    #2
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    Let the experimenting begin

    Each and every day you will find more and more things that you can eat.  Don't get discouraged if oneday you can't eat something because the next you might be able to.  There may also be days that you can do something, and then the next you can't.  Don't give up, you will get there and be able to eat those things again usually. 

  • wmc
    wmc Member Posts: 1,804
    #3
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    Congratulations on being able to eat.

    I will never forget when I passed the swallow test and could have clear liquid. You would think I won the Lottery. I had been on a GI tube for eight days. I had Three bowles of chicken broth, had to use straw as my mouth just didn't work with a spoon. Then Three cups of jello which never tasted so good, then tree small glasses of grape juice. The doctor came in and said I took in 2 liters of liquid. Always cellabrate every accomplishment you have as they are all MAJOR...

    Heck I wanted photos and balloons to go with it.

    Bill

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,722 Member
    #4
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    happy meal

    sa,

    sounds like the H&N experimental, try anything diet is working for you. I am still finding surprises, good surprises.

    I am going out for a big hamburger in one hour.

    Matt

  • hwt
    hwt Member Posts: 2,328 Member
    #5
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    CivilMatt said:

    happy meal

    sa,

    sounds like the H&N experimental, try anything diet is working for you. I am still finding surprises, good surprises.

    I am going out for a big hamburger in one hour.

    Matt

    Stephen

    Good for you...enjoy!

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #6
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    That's how it works....

    ....and why it's so important to try things every day....it's like you wait and wait...think things will never get better, and wham!!  Rice soup goes down like silk. 

    p

  • Jazyecm
    Jazyecm Member Posts: 5
    #7
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    Amazing!

    I am so glad you can eat! Its truly crazy what we take for granted when we can eat and drink anything, but take that away and the first drink/ food you get is like hitting the jackpot :) congrats!!

  • MrsBD
    MrsBD Member Posts: 615 Member
    #8
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    Eating

    You've gotta love those 'hey days'. Hey, I don't have a sore throat. Hey, I can eat this. Hey, I don't need a nap. I'm glad you've turned a corner and hope you'll continue to improve each day.

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #9
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    i'm sure we all understand

    i'm sure we all understand and realize what a huge deal this is!!  i went 6 months with NOTHING by mouth and was going crazy for a glass of cold water.    It was another 2 months after being able to drink that i was allowed to eat.  It really showed me that most socializing revolves around food and drink.  I never really paid attention to that before.  Anyway, I'm am so happy for you and it will continue to get better each day.  You are truly on your way back to LIVING now!  that's a great place to be!!

    God bless you,

    dj

  • stephenaudrey
    stephenaudrey Member Posts: 32
    #10
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    debbiejeanne said:

    i'm sure we all understand

    i'm sure we all understand and realize what a huge deal this is!!  i went 6 months with NOTHING by mouth and was going crazy for a glass of cold water.    It was another 2 months after being able to drink that i was allowed to eat.  It really showed me that most socializing revolves around food and drink.  I never really paid attention to that before.  Anyway, I'm am so happy for you and it will continue to get better each day.  You are truly on your way back to LIVING now!  that's a great place to be!!

    God bless you,

    dj

    Today I ate even more.  I had

    Today I ate even more.  I had two entrees for lunch in the hospital cafeteria where I work and two cookies and two milks.  It makes a huge difference in my outlook.  I think I'll go get another cookie.

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #11
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    stephenaudrey said:

    Today I ate even more.  I had

    Today I ate even more.  I had two entrees for lunch in the hospital cafeteria where I work and two cookies and two milks.  It makes a huge difference in my outlook.  I think I'll go get another cookie.

    sounds to me like you are

    sounds to me like you are enjoying your life again.  eat on!!

    God bless you,

    dj

  • avisemi
    avisemi Member Posts: 172
    #12
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    Awesome!  I hope you continue

    Awesome!  I hope you continue to eat more and feel better and better every day!

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