JG,

I am glad you are handling Cisplatin (tolerably) well. Be on the lookout for the side effects they warned you about, though (hearing loss, tinnitus, etc.) as they may come on suddenly and should be addressed immediately.

I lost about 20 pounds in total during my treatment and have lost another 10 since due to persistent nausea/vomiting issues so listen to these fine folks and keep doing what you can to keep your weight up.

I found that unprocessed foods (cabbage, plain beef, cucumbers, watermelon) held their flavor tolerably well although any sugars burned my throat and even these sorts of things kind of changed flavor a bit. For example, beef tasted mostly like beef, but a little less so -- at least, however, I could eat it without feeling revolted. That would be my advice.

I had a similar problem wih pickles and still do -- they taste rubbish to me -- metallic and chemically -- a guy I saw every day in treatment said he still loved them -- guess it's an individual thing.

Hang tough and listen to these folks -- they helped me get through -- you're living the journey and you will make it through to the end.

The Hellion

P.S. sounds like you have a very positive attitude.

@Gloria-- my neuropathy works the other way. I'm holding a mug of coffee or pint glass of water and it will slip through my grasp easier than it used to.

However, the prevailing opinion from my nurses is that Cisplatin related neuropathy often fades away after treatment. My MO has adjusted my last dose to 2/3rds of the other two.

I am ten months out from treatment. Stage 4 HPV positive tonsil cancer. My treatment was Cisplatin and 6.5 weeks IMRT.
Personally, the end of treatment and the month or so following was the worst time for me. I was able to gag down Ensure and Ensure plus. Water tasted swampy which I think was just the result of my burnt nasal passages due to the radiation. Fuji water seemed the least offensive plus the natural silica helped to lubricate and keep my throat from drying out too much. Stay hydrated, very important. Take a probiotic, they are available in pill form and easy to swallow. I did not get enough nutrition and I went in once between the Cisplatin treatments just to get a hydration IV. Protein supplements and dextrose were mixed with whole milk and vanilla frozen yogurt with chocolate syrup just so I could get enough calories and nutrition (plan ahead, I always seemed to be a week behind trying new sources of food). For me, the Ensure just became unbearable. Try not to smell your "food" while eating. Plan on using a humidifier, dry air is painful. Keep a daily log of your calories, protein and medicines to help you focus, plan and keep your spouse happy.
So far, I am cancer free. Taste buds are still off. Lymphedema is gone. Swallowing is requiring less water consumption. Chew sugar free gum, it will help with the reduced saliva. I didn't need to shave for quite some time but the hair on your head should be fine. Another plus is that I think the radiation killed the herpes virus that was causing my recurring fever blister.
Best of luck
(P.S. I watched the Food Network while I was starving, crazy diversion)
Steve

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your response. I compleated my radiation & chemo and now have one more hydration tomorrow. The radiation presents an occasional "flaming pain"-- quite regular in beats to pain (thump /thump/thump). That's when I turn to Roxicet rather than ibuprofen. I am also using Silver Sufiazide a few times a day (as well as Eucerin/Aquaphor in between). All but tank tops are hard to wear for the abrasion they put on colarbone, etc.

My chemo sickness is abating, and I have kept up with miralax to keep the pipes moving to good effect. Now it looks like the challenge is to find food that is tolerable and edible. I will put a separate post up about that.