Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | As I mentioned in your other post, it will be about 3 weeks after rads before you begin to have some better days. Recovery can be a painfully long and drawn out process. A complete recovery can take a full 2 years. Most patients will begin getting their sense of taste back after about 6 weeks.
You MUST get nutrition! You will not recover and end up hospitalized for dehydration and malnutrition if you dont take in at least 2500 calories and 48 oz of water every single day. If you cant eat, drink! Get some Boost of Ensure and force yourself to get those down. If you are doing that badly, ask your doc for a nasal tube to get you thru the next couple weeks. At the very least ask your doc to write a prescription for hydration so you can at least get fluids.
If your mouth hurts too much to eat, ask for a prescription for magic mouthwash. Ask the doc to up your pain meds if you are in pain. Being in pain will not help you to recover.
I know it is a very hard time for you right now. It really will get easier very soon. Radiation continues to work for a few weeks after finishing treatments.
Hang in there! 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 |