Hi Bill - another big welcome to the family, because that's what you just joined. It's a big one and many, many are here to help.

Like others have said, everyone is different, we all have different symptoms and recover at different rates. But the one thing that stays constant regardless is that maintaining a positive attitude makes all the difference in the world.

I'm not that far behind you, but having lost all taste I'm pretty much surviving on Boost and Ensure. I know how boring eating only that can get. I also have a horrible taste in my mouth about 90% of the time. Another cancer survivor gave me a heads up to get some lemon drops and keep one in your mouth, so far it seems to be helping. Since I let them dissolve slowly I got the sugar free kind so I wouldn't do further damage to teeth.

Likewise do you have any fluoride trays for your teeth? I hear you need to do daily fluoride treatments for the next several years as the radiation demineralizes the teeth.

Somebody else told me get used to the idea of carrying a water bottle with you everywhere you go, sipping on water continuously may be all you can do for the dry mouth right now. I have some of the old formula Biotene Dry Mouth Rinse, but so far that hasn't been that helpful.

Lastly, what branch and what did you do in the service. I flew B-52's as a bombardier back in the day.

Thank you for your service. Now, let's get this recovery thing whipped.

Tony