Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Congrats on finishing your treatments, Mandy!
If you continue to focus on your intake it will help your body to heal. If you struggle with swallowing, push yourself to take small sips of water at a time. Every day get the minimums of 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water. Im sure this will not be easy for you right now. Most patients feel their worst when just finishing rads and about the first 2 weeks afterwards. For many their swallowing reflexes are compromised right about the end of rads. The swallowing muscles can quickly forget how to function properly which is why I mentioned it so you can avoid these issues. Check with your doc if its ok to add high protein whey powder to your diet. This helps promote faster healing.
Hang in there and check in from time to time to keep us posted on your progress.
Best wishes! 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 |