I looked but I am not sure of what I am looking for. I just finished 33 radiation treatments for squamous cell carcinoma (spell check) no surgery, no lymphnodes just a spot that was mostly removed by the ENT when he biopsied it. I lost 20 lobs during the treatments and 10 since. My voice sounds horrible and I still can't taste anything. Tounge burns when I try to eat anything. Still no saliva working. True to the note it has only been 1 week since I finished but when can I expect to talk right, eat food again and taste things? Does the saliva ever come back? Thanks, Brenda

That is 20 lbs not lobs sorry for not doing a spell check. Brenda

Hi Bren

Everybody is a little different, but this is what I noticed after mine.

Taste return slowly usually starting 4 to 6 weeks after. For some salty stuff first, for me sweet stuff.

I did not loose my voice, but the one that I know that did, 3 - 4 weeks and it was getting better.

The burning sensation is still with me (nearly one year post) but usually only with peppery spices. General food burns went away for me in about 2 weeks.

Saliva, well lets just say, and I think I speak for most of us here, a water bottle is now a utility that is nearby always. Always hope for the best, it depends on the total dosage of radiation and how it had to be targeted.

Kevin

Brenda --

Welcome, and glad you finished treatment. It sounds like you came through very well!!

In terms of your questions, there are no absolutes. It is a process. I finished treatment almost 5 months ago. My taste is much better, though not back to pre-treatment levels, and may not get there. Not a big deal, it is pretty good right now.

You do not say where your primary was. Tongue? I was lucky, in that they treated my tumor with radiation, no surgery. Others who have had surgery can probably respond better, but in my experience with others in our local support group, speech keeps improving over time.

Saliva is a tougher question. That is an ongoing battle for me. It has improved somewhat from treatment, but not a huge amount. Biotene products (mouthwash, toothpaste, mouth rinse, gum) help. Salagen (prescription) helps some. It varies with weather, exercise, etc. I can eat virtually anything, as long as I have a bottle of water handy. Yeah, it is annoying, but not really that big a deal.

Everyone is different, but it will generally improve over time.

Everyone is a little

Hmmm . . . left off the word different.

Brenda,

My husband's first week post treatment sounds familiar to what you are experiencing. He's now 4 months post treatments and other than some frustration with taste alterations and fatigue, he is doing amazingly well. Once he turned the corner (about the end of week two) things started to improve slowly day by day.

I'm concerned that you lost 10 lbs your fist week post treatment. My husband did as well and he got very dehydrated. He didn't have a peg and it took him 4-6 hours to get down 8 oz of fluid at the time. And, he had issues with nausea and sweating (from the Erbitux). He ended up getting a full week of daily IV hydrations during week 2 post treatment. That helped a lot!

Do you have a Peg? Are you getting in and retaining enough fluids daily?

This is a hard time. The first two weeks post treatment tend to be the worst. It will get better, however it's essential you get enough fluids in.

Hi and thank you all for your responces. I never got a peg, my RO and I talked about it and we said nope. I ate a hot dog today with no bread it was salty but I got it down My voice sounds like a squeeky mouse. I am constantly drinking water, tea and I have found that the SO-BE drinks are ok but not the citrus ones. Also it ( the cancer) was on the floor of my mouth and a suspious spot at the back of my tounge. Biopsy from ENT said it was a begnin spot but my RO said he didn't think begnine and it was in the area of treatment so he thinks we got it all. i hope so. Thanks again for all your answers.
Brenda

Brenda: All the best to you...you have been through an incredible ordeal...but you're still here!

Get your caloric intake boosted any way you can! Nutrition is extremely important during your recuperation, as you know.

Hang in here with us....lean on us if you feel the need!

Lois & Buzz in NC

i also had radition for larnyx cancer the ro gave me a shot every day before to protect my sal glands has any one ever had those/? . I GO BACK TO my onc tommorrow i think i had a t1 a so what is that
the ent and onc classed it a 2- 3 can any one help about the fear of reccurence