Nelie, I get mixed messages from the medicos about my swallow. I am able (on good days) to swallow shakes and some soups. I cough but don't seem to aspirate. I have little or no smell/taste and its surprising how important those are in the mechanics of eating by mouth. Instead of it being a satisfying and quenching experience, its just kind of an awkward exercise - that I'm not very good at!! I would never be able to swallow enough of anything to get enough calories to sustain myself.

Swallowing is a real struggle, and there is no satisfaction from it for me - its just cold stuff or warm stuff sliding down my tortured throat. Pills get stuck in there, so I grind em, and peg em. I think I fought the good fight to recover my swallow, but only got a little of it back. Perhaps I will continue to gain function as the calendar passes - it seems a bit easier now than it did last year.

The jaw mobility is my biggest concern. Nobody told me about radio+jaw muscles, or losing jaw function and I was way out of radio before I learned about the thera bite. Had I started with it sooner, I might have preserved more function. The up-side is that no calls me "big mouth" anymore!! (I can barely get a slender upper denture in). Email me if you like. I'd be delighted to talk with you further. Be strong. Tom