Hi all,I am a caregiver for my hubbie Chuck.He was diagnosed with cancer in July and has just finished 37 radiaton treatments.We are doing quite well have lots of support here.His surgery to remove what was one of two lymphs is scheduled for Nov. 25. Our main concern now is finding foods easy to swallow.When will some of the saliva return and taste buds? Ordered the book from the nutrionist in Wisconsin.The ENT dr says they never did find the primary source of Chuck's cancer and feel it was microscopic and the rad. has destroyed it.We can only hope.They say removing the lymphs is just an extra precaution.Any feedback wuld be appreciated immensely.HUgs to u all.Jolie

I hope that you will get more posts regarding your eating questions from our other members, but I would just like to offer you this bit of advice. I find it unacceptable that your treating doctor has not identified the site of the primary tumor. This isn't right. Nothing microscopic metastasizes to the cervical nodes. I wouldn't want my future hanging on the phrase the "radiation probably got it all". In my personal opinion, based on what I have seen pass through these boards and elsewhere, you need a second opinion related to this issue of an undisclosed primary. You have not mentioned what test were done pre-treatment, but a complete head and neck work up including MRI's and a chest CT would be the minimum. If these don't turn up the primary, I would be thinking about a PET scan. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. Any competent doctor will be open to you asking about the missing primary and wanting a second opinion.

Hi I have a list of foods that I have eaten when
I finished my treatment and still eating some of
them now: Carnation Instant Drink, Ice Creams, Sherberts, Jello Puddings, Tapioca Puddings, yogurts, Canned fruits, Purred fruits, Baby fruits-Banana, Pudding and Blue berry buckle, Canned vegetable, Boston Market Forzon potatoes and some meats are soft like turkey. See casserols by stouffers and Breakfasts were Grits,Oatmeal, and Eggs. My saliva came back in 6 years-taste buds in 3 years. Hope this list helps your Husband. Good luck Cathy

Hi Jolie,

First, I have to tell you that caregivers are special people in my opinion. I believe the whole experience is just as hard on the caregiver as the patient (if not harder on a stress level measure)
Second, I will say my doctor did a neck disection to look for the cancel site that did not show on ct scans. It turned out to be my left tonsil, but he did look for it and felt that was very important...
And third is that the foods I lived on were mashed potatoes, eggs, pudding cups, cream soups, malts at first then they were too cold. But the secret was Cheesecake Factory Plain Cheesecake. Bought at Sam's Whoesale...My husband would leave a slice on the counter to room temp and I ate everything but the crust. 500 calories a slice. Pretty good.
I wish you both luck, and please take Brians' advise and get a second opinion from an ENT not associated with your current doctor.
Take care,
Dinah