Hello Everyone !

I am very happy to have found this forum. I know now I can ask a question that you will understand what I am talking about.
This is my first post & not sure how to use all the special effect and stuff.

I had tounge cancer Sept. 2004, had surgery. Then found lump in right side neck a year later.
Had surgery on neck then went in for 8 weeks Radiation & 3 Chemos. I guess that is the normal formula for this type of treatment. I went home Jan. 20th 2006. I am still recovering, & have feeding Tube. I am just now starting to feel some what better. I was brought to my knees with this.

I am just now starting to eat by mouth one item a day. I try to choose items that will not hurt my mouth. You know the burning feeling & pain & sores. I found that Oat meal has been the best.

I suffer from Dry mouth so any help in this area would be nice. I also have those night sweats and need help with that as well. I get them ever hour. Makes it hard to sleep.

Ok, I do not wish to make a book
Thanks in advance for your ideas
DM

Welcome to the site! I'm afraid I can't comment on your difficulties eating, as I had no radiation. However, I know you've come to the right place and the folks here will have lots of hints.

Here's to your continued recovery!

Jennifer

Hi DM-
Welcome!
When my fiancee first started with his treatment he found that eating an icepop will help sooth the pain and numb the area a bit. Icepops will also help hydrate the mouth. Oatmeal is good. Have you ever tried Cream of Wheat? Milkshakes are also a "nice" treat.
My recipe for Charlie:
1 banana
vanilla icecream
non dairy dry milk
and whole milk
This has a lot of calories as well- Charlie just finished his treatment on Friday, so he wont be eating thru the mouth for a while yet.

I wish you the best! Congrats on finishing treatment~
Delia
please let me know if anything helped- I will look further into good foods also.

Thank You Delia & Jennifer
For your welcome and ideas.
yes, I can eat ice cream.

I will look around the site and see if I can find more info on Night sweats & Dry mouth and a few other side effects.

It is nice to know I have a place to come to and people understand.

DM

Hi DM,

I am the currently the newest member to this forum but I think I can give you some recommendations on how to work with the dry mouth.

My husband has just completed his chemoradiation and has also has problems with dry mouth however he does produce some saliva.

He chews gum, there is Biatene gum which can be purchased through your pharmacy or dentist. He has recently switched to Xylimax which was recommended on another forum. This was a bit more difficult to find, some dentists carry it or will order for you. Both of these items are geared towards the xerostomia problem and help him a bit.

He also uses Biatene toothpaste and mouthrinse, again geared towards the dry mouth problem.

He sips water as much as possible and uses a humidifier at night. He also sucked on sugarless hard candies when foods were still tasting good to him but right now he cannot tolerate the taste.

Hope some of these offer you some relief.

Hi DM,
A few months after radiation I found that putting cheese on anything I ate really helped it alot. Cheese on a steak, chicken, etc. is actually delicious. I also found that pasta and casseroles are great. You will find yourself eating healthier!