Mgb Online content
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Registered: 02/10/16
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Coming up on 4 mos post rat, modified radical neck dissection and radical tonsillectomy. T1N1 was the final call. I did really well, in spite of having peg I ate everyday, taste is pretty much back, a little weirdness but no concern. I had IMRT of both sides , 6600 to tonsil bed, 6000 to affected side and 5000 to opposite side with left side parotid and sumbmandibular glands spared. I never got burned and had very few mouth sores, tonsillectomy was worse. I am reaching out because at four months I'm feeling like recovery has stalled, very low saliva most of the time especially when trying to exercise, I love riding a bike it was usually all I did, 20mi a day everyday. I am catching these little bugs often and they knock me down for 1 or 2 days. I still experience some fatigue but nowhere near a month ago. I read both of your posts and am encouraged it will not stay this way forever. Any experience you can share regarding recovery would be so welcome.
Thanks
Welcome to OCF!
At 4 months post rads you are still in the recovery phase. Most patients are doing fairly well and have made significant progress at 4-6 month post rads. But, recovery is a looonnnggggg process! Patients will continue making small improvements thru about the 2 year mark. These improvements are mostly in sense of taste and dry mouth.
Being 4 months post rads, your resistance is still low. Many patients have low white counts for many months post rads, moreso with patients who had chemo with their rads.
Until at the very least the first year post rads your body is working overtime trying to rebuild itself. This means you have more calories being burned up at a faster rate. For at least the first year post rads you should have a diet of increased calories of at least 2500 and water intake of 48-64 oz daily. Check with your doc about a diet higher in protein or adding high protein whey powder to help speed your healing.
Hang in there!!! The very worst of this is behind you. I know how frustrating the long slow recovery phase can be. After going thru so much, none of us can get better fast enough. Until you hit the 2 year mark you still will see improvements, probably smaller changes but still you will continue to bounce back.
Sounds like you're doing well at 4 months!
There are many causes of dry mouth, including from radiation/chemo we're used to hearing about, but other causes can be from dehydration, medications, illness, exercise, etc. I'm not sure of your liquid intake, and varying needs, which can include the elevation you're at, temperature, activity level. Some medications can also cause dry mouth, and illnesses like diabetes, kidney malfunction, hypothyroidism are some too, even exercising, and mainly breathing through your mouth, can cause dry mouth, as well as sleeping with your mouth open if that is happening. which can be some things to look into on your own, with your medical team.
I always thought that too much exercise lowered your immune system, and moderate exercise helped to protect it, and probably read such many years ago, but it never changed my habits, and dealt with the frequent colds back in the day. Adequate sleep, rest, proper nutrition, avoiding/protecting against illness, can also help your immune system.
I hope this helps.
Hi guys
First scan is clear 😄
Very grateful today
Thats great news!!! Congrats
Best wishes with your continued recovery!!!
Mgb HI and Congratulations
I hope I can say same next week. I went back to work 6 weeks after treatment and now at 3 months I also feel stalled out. Hoping to start a little exercise with the better weather. I'm just really really tired and having alot of little aches and pains which I ignore most of the time. I'm DONE with cancer I just dont know its done with me.
Thanks Karen
Your gonna be fine - I just know it