 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | You may need a swallow test to make sure the water isnt going into your lungs when you drink. Swallowing is a function that can be difficult to relearn. A speech pathologist will be able to help you with this.
The end of radiation is the worst and the first 2 weeks after finishing are still bad. After that you will slowly begin to make small improvements. Its a long process but you will get there. It takes alot of determination and you will need to push yourself to do things you dont want to. The easiest thing to do is lay in bed doing nothing but that will be detrimental. You MUST get enough nutrition every single day or you will feel even worse. Push yourself to take in a minimum of 2500 calories and 48 oz of water every single day. Adding a high protein whey powder to your formula will help your body to heal faster. Just make sure to add some extra water so it isnt too thick for the tube.
For most patients, around the 3rd week after finishing radiation is when you first notice small improvements. Hang in there, it will get easier.
Good luck!!!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
