 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Rosy, your body is still in recovery mode. Keep taking in a minimum of 2500 calories and 48 oz of water for at least the first year after finishing treatments. Check with your doc or nutritionist about adding some high protein whey powder to your diet to help with your protein intake. You have been thru alot and it can take 2 years to make a full recovery. But the good news is that for most patients they are doing pretty good at about 6-8 months post rads with a few slight improvements happening until the 2 year mark.
Check with a speech pathologist about the swallowing. You may need a barium swallow test to make sure you are swallowing safely. They can also help you with different exercises to help with swallowing. Hopefully you will not need dilatations but they are an option if you continue to struggle.
Best wishes with your continued recovery!
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  | 
