Hi Anne Marie,

I lost my voice for just about 4 weeks, all I could get was a whisper and I, like you, had to force that. It's not uncommon and shouldn't cause you any concern. Boy did I HATE it though! I love to talk laugh My voice now is normal although I cannot scream like I could before radiation, it will make me cough.

I also had horrible dry mouth at your stage of the recovery. I would wake up at night and my mouth would be so dry and my tongue stuck to the roof of my mouth so badly that I would feel anxious and scared. I thought that was how it would be for me for the rest of my life. Within about 4-5 weeks that resolved and pretty soon, I could go all night without a drink.

Everything you describe is normal and will get better. Patience is the key!

Minnie

SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.