I saw my radiation oncologist at Stanford and she said she was not familiar with the benefits of zinc, but it can't hurt so to continue if I wished. I have a funny story related to taste. Yesterday I went to Jamba Juice to get a smoothie and asked the gal to give me the highest calorie one she could make. She said she had a high protein one made with peanut butter. I thought that sounded terrible, but since I can't taste, I said ok. Well, when I took a big sip, I tasted peanut butter! It was such a surprise. However, it did taste nasty so I couldn't finish it. But still, I'll take that nasty taste any day! smile I'll keep you all posted if I taste anything else.

Teacher Karen
DX: SCC of right maxillary alveolar ridge, 9/2010.
Surgery 11/2010, removal of 4 teeth and gum.
Surgery 11/2012, removal of 3 teeth and gum.
IMRT 1/2013-2/2013
Surgery 1/2015 retromolar trigone resection; removal of 1 tooth and gum.
Surgery 10/2015 left modified radical neck dissection, inferior parotidectomy, external carotid artery resection.
Cetuximab based chemoradiation 64.8 Gy to resection bed.
Surgery 6/19/2018 Right inferior maxillectomy, bilateral low palate resection