Will I ever stop choking on certain foods? I can not eat hardly any meet without choking and at time bread will do that to me. Sometimes I get brave and think i want to try a certain food again, and after the first two or three bites give it up because I am tired of the choking and not being able to get it down. I am 18 months past treatment.

Maybe you can have your swallowing assessed? I think my throat is a little tighter as well. I can swallow now fairly well without choking but Im staying away from really dry things and breads... meat I don't eat but my wheat meat goes down ok. Though there are times depending on how swollen I am that I still have to gulp water to get my food down. They might determine that you you need a throat dilation? or maybe you can try acupuncture it has helped me.

good luck... I know it's no fun having to work to eat your food! ugh! take care

Bill is almost four years out from end of treatment and he def. has issues with dryer foods and meat. I watch him chew and chew and take lots of water or tea with his bites so for sure the radiation has done a number on his swallow mechanism. Sometimes the food gets stuck and I can see that look on his face while he tries to clear it. Not pleasant for sure but he accepts it as part of the package that killed the cancer.

I know the feeling I'm the hork queen - every once in a while something will get stuck - if a gulp or two of water doesn't clear it - I horn it back up! Not very dainty especially at a restraint - but effective!! usually my problems are in early morning when I'm swollen, of if I've not done my exercises for the day! have a great day!

Angelia, my instinct (and personal experience) tells me that things will improve for you. It took me a long while to get completely comfortable with solid food and I still treat it with great respect. And keep the water handy. I chew things more thoroughly and console myself with the knowledge that (as far as I understand) that makes it easier to digest and releases more nutrients. Or something like that.

Hang in there!

Angelia
I can't answer your question, but have you tried looking at any of the cookbooks for folks with swallowing difficulties? I picked up the Dysphagia Cookbook, and the recipies in it are excellent. It is one of the titles referenced in the main OCF site at http://oralcancerfoundation.org/products/books.htm

My husband can't manage chunks of red meat or chicken, but fish and seafood work ok, and processed meats like sausage go down peaceably.

Thanks for all your responses. I have also noticed that I can no longer eat many spicy foods which I used to love. Sausage is even too spicy for me now. I can eat shrimp because it just slides down.