I also was told NO supplements, and followed that rule. I got through treatments fairly well. Well enough to rock climb the day before my last rad and chemo, and to go out to dinner the final day of treatment.
I only lost 4lbs during treatment, going from 119 to 115. My caregiver was adamant about calories and fluids. I had to acheive 1,500 cal. and 68oz. of fluid everyday, and I did that. I had to eat something at each mealtime, and supplement with liquid nutrition, which I drank instead of putting it in my feeding tube.Yuck.
I used frequent guided imagery and prayer.
I had acupuncture every week, and a few reiki and massage sessions.
Thought of my treatments as an afterthought of things to be done for the day, just pretended it was another errand. Left for treatments at 6:45 each morning and came back in around 6:30 PM.
I sang everyday(at my caregivers request), wondering if this had some beneficial effect on
my throat.
Did jaw exercises religiously, starting 4 weeks before treatment.
Applied Aquaphor as often as I could. Result; a very tanned, but not burnt, neck; that peeled and looked normal a week post TX.
I am not sure why, and my doctors do not understand why, but I did not get any mouth sores from the chemo, and I never reqired narcotic pain relievers(I used Advil) for radiation-induced sore throat. I continued to be able to swallow food throughout treatment.
My biggest problem was a case of thrush towards the end of treatment. In retrospect--I would have carried soda water with me during the day to keep that at bay.
I used biotene products and flouride treatment. My dentist can't believe I went through radiation, as she said my mouth is super healthy.
For some reason that I cannot explain, I was never afraid going in for chemo or radiation. Perhaps this had some effect on my body.
One month after treatment my doctor looked in my throat and said, "You look like you never got treated!"
My taste started coming back 2 weeks post TX, dry mouth not bad at all.
I was able to complete a strenuous 7 hour mountain hike 6 weeks post TX.
I hope this can give anyone who is starting out a little hope and a little less anxiety. Keep those positive thoughts flowing!!!