Chetan,

I too am vegetarian and found a few good options for getting my calories during and after treatment. Since I'm lactose intolerant, I used whey protein and soy milk in smoothies and shakes which provided plenty of protein. I've since discovered almond milk which I prefer over the soy milk. Also, things like mild black bean or lentil soups were great after treatment.

After surgery, I think I was eating solid food within three or four weeks. Certainly within six weeks. During chemo/radiation I did have to transition to using my PEG tube but was able to give that up within about three months.

Its a long, slow grind to recover from this disease but it is definitely do-able, even on a vegetarian diet.

- Margaret

Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018