OV_BM,

Your life is not over...it's actually just beginning. You already have a much more positive outlook and caring tone than you did before. So let me be the first to welcome you to your new life!!

I didn't have surgery but I did loose my ability to eat solid foods, we all do. I'm sure you have a PEG, if not, I'm guessing you will get one. The smells of food we took for granted will drive you crazy for some time to come. I assume you have lost your taste, if not, the Rad will see to that. You will also develope dry mouth so just think of "eating" now to maintain your health, and not for pleasure.

Make sure that you get all the water and "food" in your body each and every day. It's very important and it will make things go easier.

There will be many more questions you will have as your Tx begins and don't hesitate to ask. That's one of the benefits of this great site.

Hang in there.

By the way, how do you and your girlfriend want to be named in the posts?

David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.