Hi Nick,

I am almost 5 years out from surgery and radiation and my dry mouth has improved slowly but significantly. It will never be back to normal but I can tell it is a little better every year. The doctors told me most recovery flattens out around 3 years but everyone seems different. There are dry mouth products, over the counter and Rx, but so far I have gotten along without them. I have seen people post here saying they help.

My first months, I had trouble eating anything dry like a Ritz cracker. But, by a year or so, I was able to slowly work one down. Now, I can eat them regularly. Slower than before rads but regularly without gulping tons of water to help. I also used to wake up with my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth like Velcro. That hardly happens now.

Hope this helps. Stay safe and keep the faith.

Nels

Hello, old friends -

I am a returning member of the forum - have been cancer-free for 16 years but have a new question:

Does anyone have experience getting reconstruction many years after cancer treatment? I had a successful palatectomy/maxillectomy (and radiation and chemo) in 2009 and have been wearing an obturator since then. Though I was pretty happy with it for the first few years, it has recently been problematic - my swallowing muscles are compromised because of it and I struggle to swallow almost all solid food. I'm eating, but it's no fun!

Because of the swallowing difficulty and also chewing problems, I am considering having reconstruction (fibula, etc?) of my upper maxilla and half of my palate, as well as several teeth. I am working with a terrific prosthodontist who is going to make me a new obturator, but I'm seriously considering doing the reconstructive surgery if it's going to make my life a whole lot better! Does anyone here have experience with this kind of reconstruction many years after their original surgery/cancer treatment? Is it crazy for me to consider [/i]another[i]major oral surgery just to get better swallowing/chewing/speaking?

Please, if anyone has experience with this, let me know how it went for you. You can also PM me if you prefer.

Thank you!
Chrissy