During/after treatment my dentist gave me some type of topical numbing treatment to use before meals. This was a LIFESAVER - 100x better than the magic mouthwash. I would dab it on my ulcers/sore spots and it would stay numb for about 15 minutes. I will look up what is in it when I get home so I can share.

To give you a little hope... I am about 6 and a half months post radiation and chemo, and I am feeling great. I am drinking hot coffee and eating a bagel as we speak. I felt terrible for the first 4 or 5 weeks, then the progress was gradual. I really started feeling better around month 4, but once I returned to work and started working full time again, it surprisingly seemed to help me. My fatigue level is great - I do not feel too tired to do much. I do still deal with some issues, though:
- radiated area still tender/painful to touch
- lymphodema
- extreme dry mouth
- speech impediment
- occasional sore throat
- trismus in jaw (which i have to stretch daily)
- Cannot eat/drink very acidic or spicy foods (I can tolerate some spice and acidity though)

Those really are my only physical issues now. Not too bad! Keep your hope up smile it will get better. I actually feel like my normal self again!

Last edited by emilyp; 05-24-2012 06:21 AM.
Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis
HPV-, no risk factors
T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated
Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection
30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin)
1/13/12 last day of treatment
Diagnosed October 2011