Heres some of the things Ive learned over the years about the recovery phase (Of course, all patients are different and will experience everything in their own unique way. Some issues bother some patients more than others but then when comparing yourself to others, there are far too many variables to make an accurate comparison)... First,@ Denise you are correct. My doc told me one month for every week of rads when I was complaining to him when I wasnt back to my normal self a couple months post rads. The recovery phase can be VERY frustrating. Patients can never recover as fast as they think they should...NOT EVER! A complete recovery for those who had rads w/ chemo for OC will take a full 2 years. I know it sounds like its forever! The time goes quickly with most patients feeling pretty good about 8-12 months post rads. Patients can still expect to see (usually only slight) improvements in their sense of taste and saliva up to about the 2 year post rads mark. The ups and downs and setbacks can become annoying but soon you will be able to clearly see how much progress you have made. The setbacks will become less and less the further you get past when you finished rads.

Other things that can get annoying to patients during recovery is their sense of taste will disappear when eating. This can get annoying when what they are eating loses its flavor after only one or 2 bites. Around a year out many will have the majority of their taste returned. Patients can still expect to see (usually only slight) improvements in their sense of taste and saliva up to about the 2 year post rads mark. One thing to ask your doc about when they have you get bloodwork done during your recovery is if your thyroid numbers are being checked. If not, they should be! Most patients who have rads to their head and neck areas will run into thyroid issues. It hit me but not for a few years post rads. After everything OC patients go thru having their thyroid not functioning properly usually isnt a big deal. Thyroid levels being off just requires patients to take one tiny pill a day. To me its not a big deal considering everything else everyone here has been thru.

@ Denise, you may want to ask your doc about your thyroid levels next time you have bloodwork ordered. Being about 2 months post rads is still pretty much the beginning of your recovery phase. Im sure you are able to notice some improvements and will continue to do so. Fatigue was one thing that really got to me! No matter how much I slept, I was still exhausted and could go right back to sleep. Fatigue is also a sign of your thyroid not functioning properly.

Protein helps to speed healing. Ask your doc if its ok to add some whey protein powder to your diet. Theres an unflavored one that can be added to shakes, soup, smoothies, even to the formula for feeding tube users (easiest for those who use the feeding pump). I think its Bob's Red Mill brand that I get at my local wegmans, it comes in a light green bag in the organic dept.

Other than hitting your daily intake minimums, avoiding crowded public places, staying away from sick people (elderly and young children seem to always get sick), frequent hand washing, getting the best balanced diet that you are able to consume, resting when tired, managing pain levels, PT if necessary, and following doctors orders, unfortunately theres really not much that can help get you past the recovery phase any quicker. It takes time... wayyyy too much time!!! Ive picked that up from all the OC patients Ive been in contact with over the years. We all can agree the whole ordeal from diagnosis til we feel we're back to our original selves (as much as it is possible) seems to take an eternity. On the bright side, we all are in this together and we all understand where you are coming from. At least the worst of everything is behind you Hang in there!!!