Food TEXTURE (not taste)

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graycalico
graycalico Member Posts: 4
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hello all, 

I'm new here, even though I've just finished my treatment protocol. I'm a 44 year old female, mother of 2, career as a veterinarian, diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma back in June. I recently completed 35 rounds of radiation (on 9/20) + 3 rounds of chemo (various protocols, stopping early due to side effects). Last chemo was a month ago.  

There are so many discussions and online resources regarding the taste of foods after radiation and chemo. But what has your experience been regarding the texture of foods? I have varying amounts of saliva, depending on the day, and am at the point where I can drink water (with difficulty as I currently have a sore and swollen throat), but any food that's not a liquid or yogurt is like sandpaper trying to chew it. I've literally only taken a few bites here and there before I just can't continue. So I'm not eating anything yet (still using PEG tube). I realize I have to relearn how to eat again. Does the texture issue resolve as the taste improves? Taste right now is hit or miss (example, trying to let a tiny piece of chocolate dissolve in my mouth is too spicy - go figure!). Did you just suck it up and force yourself to eat or wait for things to improve before moving forward. 

Thanks for any advice. 

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  • motorcycleguy
    motorcycleguy Member Posts: 478 Member
    edited November 2019 #2
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    Hello graycalico!

    I had nasopharyngeal cancer, and it sounds like we had the same treatment. I was completely done about 5 months ago.

    I went through a couple months, where I ate only eggs, oatmeal and chicken soup broth, because that's all that tasted ok, and I could get down.

    The food issue is a tough one. Sauces help, so dip food into some youn like - ketchup, ranch dressing or whatever.

    I guess the good news is that food is starting to taste OK again, but not great. I'm down about 35 pounds, and am actually at a healthier weight, now. It will be easy to maintain, if food doesn't always taste GREAT. (I find myself stopping, after I feel full) - LOL...

    The bottom line, is that it gets better with time, and you will most likely be able to eat almost anything you want, in just a few months!

    I wish you the best of luck with your treatment, and your life!

     

  • motorcycleguy
    motorcycleguy Member Posts: 478 Member
    #3
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    Texture comment

    I realized I didn't really address texture. My situation was exactly like your's. The idea of eating something like a piece of pizza seemed almost impossible!

    But, my saliva has come back some, and I keep a drink (water or whatever), when I eat - and I could eat a piece of pizza now, if I wanted to.

    Start with a soft food you like, (eggs or something that builds you up) - and keep at it. I'm guessing you will be eating much more normally by Christmas!

  • Logan51
    Logan51 Member Posts: 465 Member
    #4
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    First food for me was

    Pancakes with lots of maple syrup and butter. Started on that almost 3 weeks after my last Rad session.

    As far as the saliva- you be better off than I was, and still am 10+ years out to the good.

  • SuzJ
    SuzJ Member Posts: 427 Member
    #5
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    I'm wierd..

    People will cringe, but, the only thing I could taste, during and right after, was Wendy's Chilli. Ya I know, wierd!

     

    My speech therapist went into texture deeper, and seeing a speech therapist is a good idea!

    Rice for example, has a high "clumpability" factor - it clumps together and gets stuck. I love salad, but the lettuce, no matter how small, would get stuck.

     

    I had to practice "hard swallows" which to break it down further are the same as a gulp, imagine a cartoon, where the character emotes "GULP!" Thats what you need to do, 10 sets of 3, 2 or 3 times a day. Plus, press your tongue to the roof of your mouth as hard as you can, same - 10 times 3, 2 or 3 times a day. Then same thing, only hold the pressure as long as you can, 10 x 3 again.

     

    When you eat, think of wether the food clumps on the plate, if it does, it's a no. Spaghetti goes down well, I broke it down to 3 or 3 inch long pieces.

    2 years out, rice is still hard to swallow, lettuce, no, veggies have to be overcooked, instead of al dente, Omelettes are good, cheerious are yum! basically because I can crunch them and the texture does it for me!

     

    But its all in the exercises, strengthening your tongue back up, its a muscle we really dont give much thought to, as it's just .. there.

  • motorcycleguy
    motorcycleguy Member Posts: 478 Member
    #6
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    Lol

    It's funny - I ate a lot of chili, also. I've heard it mentioned a couple times. It registered relatively early, on the taste buds!!...

  • tommyodavey
    tommyodavey Member Posts: 727 Member
    edited December 2019 #7
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    Texture

    That is one of the side effects that has stuck around for me.  I have to be careful not to eat anything with grains or it'll get stuck in my throat.  Coughing doesn't dislodge it.  Only time will let it move to finally hack it up.  So I avoid any foods with small dry grains, etc.  It can be very embarrasing when eating out if I try to eat something I shouldn't.

    Not a bad life though.  Just keep water close by.  And yes, time does help but it is a slow process.  A year or two down the road and you'll know what to avoid.

  • graycalico
    graycalico Member Posts: 4
    #8
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    SuzJ said:

    I'm wierd..

    People will cringe, but, the only thing I could taste, during and right after, was Wendy's Chilli. Ya I know, wierd!

     

    My speech therapist went into texture deeper, and seeing a speech therapist is a good idea!

    Rice for example, has a high "clumpability" factor - it clumps together and gets stuck. I love salad, but the lettuce, no matter how small, would get stuck.

     

    I had to practice "hard swallows" which to break it down further are the same as a gulp, imagine a cartoon, where the character emotes "GULP!" Thats what you need to do, 10 sets of 3, 2 or 3 times a day. Plus, press your tongue to the roof of your mouth as hard as you can, same - 10 times 3, 2 or 3 times a day. Then same thing, only hold the pressure as long as you can, 10 x 3 again.

     

    When you eat, think of wether the food clumps on the plate, if it does, it's a no. Spaghetti goes down well, I broke it down to 3 or 3 inch long pieces.

    2 years out, rice is still hard to swallow, lettuce, no, veggies have to be overcooked, instead of al dente, Omelettes are good, cheerious are yum! basically because I can crunch them and the texture does it for me!

     

    But its all in the exercises, strengthening your tongue back up, its a muscle we really dont give much thought to, as it's just .. there.

    chili

    Thanks. Yes, chili would be a no go for me as I can't tolerate anything tomato based; it's just too spice even if there's no seasoning. Even chocolate is spicy right now! 

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