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Joined: Mar 2014
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BJT Offline OP
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I had tongue cancer and had it cut out, it came back 4 years later. So I had 7 Friday’s of inductions of chemo and 5 weeks in the the hospital hooked up to chemo and twice daily radiation. My throat closed up and could not swallow or speak for 3 months. Lost 50lbs. Last radiation was Aust 3, Now I have dry mouth and super mouth pain to spicy, seasoning and most of all alcohol. When will I be able to enjoy a cocktail again. My wife misses her drinking buddy.


Bruce
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BJT,

Forget about a cocktail for now! There was a time, and not too long ago, that alcohol was questionable after treatment with the type of cancer, treatment, such as being HPV related, and some did have a cocktail whenever. Now, they say no alcohol is good for you! I don’t have the articles off hand as I lost them in my files, but it might have been two or three years ago. You can look it up as I will probably too. It may even be on the discussion board here.

On the other hand, I now do have a drink occasionally, beer or wine. Maybe not even once a month or two. It was several years after treatment that I drank beer, which I could taste before soda and others, but it still doesn’t make it right.

Whatever decision you make do so being informed, and do so responsibly. Good luck

https://www.npr.org/2018/08/24/6416...good-for-your-health-global-study-claims

http://time.com/5376552/how-much-alcohol-to-drink-study/?amp=true

Last edited by PaulB; 04-03-2019 02:31 PM. Reason: Articles

10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs






Joined: Mar 2014
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BJT Offline OP
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Thanks, it is not that I am or was an alcoholic, but rather alcohol burns like hell in my throat if I try it now. I appreciate the heads up and my cancer was HPV related.


Bruce
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BJT Offline OP
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Also thanks for the links.


Bruce
Joined: Jun 2013
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Nothing wrong with wanting a drink or wanting to get back to normal. I haven't read the links about if it's okay (because I don't drink), but the 'when' would vary by person anyway ... peppermint still burns me like crazy, five or so years out! I can't imagine anything more potent than mint or spices as even an option right now. Others go back to those foods right away. It totally varies.


Surgery 5/31/13
Tongue lesion, right side
SCC, HPV+, poorly differentiated
T1N0 based on biopsy and scan
Selective neck dissection 8/27/13, clear nodes
12/2/13 follow-up with concerns
12/3/13 biopsy, surgery, cancer returned
1/8/14 Port installed
PEG installed
Chemo and rads
2/14/14 halfway through carboplatin/taxotere and rads
March '14, Tx done, port out w/ complications, PEG out in June
2017: probable trigeminal neuralgia
Fall 2017: HBOT
Jan 18: oral surgery
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 28
BJT Offline OP
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Thanks Kristen, I only 6 months out and I am the same on the peppermint, spicy and seasoned food. Farina, noodles and fruity pebbles with bananas are my go to foods.


Bruce
Joined: Mar 2018
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Hi BJT.
I would not want to comment on whether you could or should drink alcohol.
My Oncologists seemed to be unsure what to tell me when I asked them.
I have tried hard liquor, wine and beer.
The liquor and wine just left a bad aftertaste in my mouth all night. I found beer was better for me, and I felt that I was was getting some hydration and calories. For me, just a bit hard to go totally cold turkey.
But being that it's a social time with your wife and yourself, maybe try to have Non Alcohloic beer with her. If you miss the relaxing effects, maybe you can try some medical cannabis (if its legal in your state) a little before cocktail hour.
I use it at night only and it helps relax me for sleep.
I'm 10 months past chemo and rads, and I still have trouble eating, and only gained back 2 pounds after losing 55 pounds.
But, everything is improving slowly but surely.
Best wishes, enjoy the Spring.


Enlarged left cervical lymph node in neck on 1/9/18. Male, age 60. Had retired from working as a computer technician and a project manager for almost 38 years, on 7/1/17.
Node was removed 1/16/18 and found to have SCC P16.
Chest xray clean.
Since then, PET/CT, slight activity left parotid, possible malignancy left lingual tonsil. MRI clean.
3 endoscopies, nothing seen.
2/26/18 Larryngoscopy,primary not found.
TORS 3/23/18 lingual tonsil biopsy.,biopsy negative.
Chemo/rads started 4/18/18.
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 28
BJT Offline OP
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Thanks and it’s that the alcohol still burns in my throat and I plan on to smoke or use edibles once I find a new job. I lost my job a year ago February, then the Cancer came back. Like double jeopardy. Thanks again for the advice.


Bruce

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