Hi GELIBBY,

Welcome to OCF. I am so sorry to read of your wife's diagnosis and difficulties with surgery and treatment. I had similar surgery followed with radiation but no chemo about five years ago. Like your wife, I had lived a healthy lifestyle for 52 years, no smoking, social drinking, always physically active. My wife and I were stunned by this diagnosis.

But, I can tell you there is hope. Like Chris shared, surgery recovery was quicker and I could see improvement daily/weekly. Radiation recovery was more weekly/monthly to notice improvement especially with food. Some flavors took many months and years to come back. Some still elude me such as wine or alcohol. I suggest keeping a journal. It helped me clear my thoughts but was also good when I needed to see how far I had come. Sometimes, I would get down on myself, thinking I hadn't seen much improvement, I would pull out my book or watch an old video, and realize I had come farther than I thought!

Today, I have all the important parts of my life back - time with loved ones, work, speech (minor lisp), travel, most foods, surfing, jogging. And, some parts have improved. For example, my faith life has blossomed greatly. I see my purpose and sources of joy completely differently now.

This is a long recovery. It's hard to be patient but keep doing the work. Improvement will come.

Stay safe and keep the faith,
Nels