I remember a few weeks during the final stages of RT and for 3 or 4 weeks after where it just hurt too much to eat. I kept drinking water as I was advised that you can forget how to swallow. Once I started eating again, I very quickly stopped using the PEG and now 8 months on its hard to believe how normal my eating has become. Sure, I sometimes chase stuff around mouth and some foods seem to make my mouth go immediately dry. I've found sipping very small amounts of soya milk helps without diluting the flavour too much. My saliva has improved over the months but you have to be patient. I find exercise helps - I remember being stupidly proud of myself the first time I managed to spit while riding my bicycle without it just flopping out of my mouth onto my shoulder. Its hard those first few weeks but it really does get better.


Diagnosed Early April 2010 SCC left tongue t3n1
PEG insertion 26th April 2010
Patial glossectomy with flap from arm and left neck dissection 28th April
20 sessions of radiotherapy in June
PEG removal Today - yippee! 19th Nov