Hi everyone—as I re-read your posts, I am reminded of how helpful this forum is. My husband is now 16 weeks post treatment and making slow but steady progress. His clinical team is pushing him to transition off the PEG tube and while he recognizes the importance of it, he is anxious about trying different foods and due to tastes, dry mouth and lingering mucous, is assuming he will never enjoy eating again. I am trying my best to be supportive, suggesting that while he may be subject to a new normal, we can be grateful for a clean PET scan. I am meditating to help me to help him.

I know you’ve all been through this; thanks for understanding!
Nedra

my husband has been away from treatments a little over a year. no one would know he had stage 4a oral cancer. he eats anything he wants, his voice is back to normal, etc. there is hope ahead.

Hi Connie—do you recall how long it was before the mucous stopped (or greatly reduced), saliva production increased and taste buds regenerated?

Thanks,
Nedra

I don't remember for sure but maybe a few months on the saliva. Taste buds were never much of an issue for him. He couldn't eat spicy for awhile but can now. Sweet things don't always taste right to him unless it's something highly sweet. He bought a big jar of strawberry jam....said it didn't taste right. so i guess it's hit or miss.