Having just got over jet lag and coming back from yet another protodontist appointment for yet another crown as part of eternal gift of radiation on my jawbone and mouth, thought I'd survey the board on what advice their ROs had given on drinking. Actually when I was struggling with weight issues during my radiation, my RO said it was fine to drink a beer or wine, just no hard liquor. Not only did it give me 160 calories that went down much smoother than the Ensure Plus, it did give a nice kick to the oxycodene and made changing the burn dressings far more tolerable.
Many of the posters here report they have been told zero alcohol - while some report advice similar to mine: one or two beers or wine.
I understand in advance that alcohol and smoking are documented cases of oral cancer but our numbers are so few in comparison to the drinking population that moderation seems statistically safe. I recently had our 47th 8th grade reunion, and there was just one teetotaler there while I was the only OC guy.
anyway, for what it's worth, I can taste my beer and it certainly made last week's trip to Italy much more enjoyable at the cafe's. Just a thought for those starting this mess, that not everything is lost in the "new normal"

BC (b4 cancer) I would enjoy a ice cold beer and when I was first Dx'ed my RO said no more smoking or drinking. I then told him I didn't smoke and he said then no more drinking thru the Tx. After Tx he told me that I could drink but not excessively and of course beer was the farthest thing from my mind consumptionwise until 8 months or so post Tx. I reaquired my taste for beer several months ago and I have one or two occasionally and I enjoy them just as much as BC.

Right on ....I enjoy the odd one myself...but have a ways to go before I can indulge...there are lots of things...I am starting to feel a little cooped up and well just wanna do...can do some but not without consenquences....I know time...everything revolves around it...and baby steps working on them too... Have one for me david...I sure would appreciate it...

Dianne

I was never much of a drinker. Those drinking days were a long time ago, before I got married and had children. Now, Im too chicken to try a drink. Soda burns the heck out of my mouth so I figure cant drink either.

How was Italy? Did you see the Trevi fountain or the Spanish steps? How about Venice's huge square by the clock tower? (St Marco's??? still forget the name of it) Did you eat gellato?

Christine

Thanks so much for asking, I have been dying to share our joy. Italy was lovely and the weather sort of cooperated with a Rainy cold day in Rome (1 out of 4)and an overcast cold night in Venice (1 out of 3). Yes, we saw all the must see sights in Rome: Trevi fountain, Spanish steps, Castle St Angelo, Vatican museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's basilica, lots of other lesser known churches lesser specific statutes and pictures my artist wife just had to see; the Forum, Palatine Hill, Coliseum. The best part was validation of a last minute decision to cancel the hotel reservations I had made way back in June at the Kennedy Hotel which is near Rome's train station (Termini) and take a chance on a travel forum's (Trip Advisor) poster's recommendation of a 16th century reconverted building that had a bed and breakfast. It was on a cobblestone street in a picturesque labyrinth of narrow twisting streets of the historic city centre, embroidered with antique shops while the artistic centre and the most famous and fashionable shopping streets plus the social hub of Rome, Piazza Navona just round the corner. This is the Rome of your dreams. Both Medieval & Modern. We LOVED just opening the windows and shutters overlooking the street, leaning out the windowsill and watch the strolling people below at night. During the morning, little children were being led to a nearby school or day care amidst a stream of tourists with maps. The biggest surprise was a private bathroom that was bigger than our hotel room in Venice !!! Seriously, there was a huge Roman soaking tub that was SIX foot THREE inches long and THREE foot NINE inches wide with a platter sized showerhead.
Venice was equally magical albeit the hotel room was a tiny jewel. Our room overlooked the delightful courtyard pictured on their web site and it was so quiet at night. The room smelled great and the furnishings were elegantly done. The shower stall was small and while fine for us, we wondered how some guests we saw did not get stuck in it.
This time we sprinted through the sights: St. Mark's square, the Basilica, Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge, Grand Canal, and glass blowing factories on Murano Island in favor of sitting in gorgeous canalside restaurants or in a delightful 17th century plaza people watching with a cold beer. We did not do any gelato as neither of us is or were big on Sugar plus I have not been able to taste ice cream anyway.
The only hassle the entire trip was when Austrian Airlines confiscated my water bottle for dry mouth at one of their own internal security checks before their departure gate waiting room but it had no water for sale or available for the next two hours. Thank god I had taken a hint from the posters here and poured some Biotene mouthwash into a little spray bottle that met the 3.5 oz limit in the ziplock bag. Ah , the joys of the new normal.

It sounds like you and your wife had a wonderful time in Italy. Thank you for sharing all the fantastic places you were able to see.

The trick for defeating the security guys is to have one *empty* bottle (they should only confiscate the ones with something in them) that you can then refill from drinking fountain or rest room sink.

Pete

That works in the good old USA, but overseas, even in airports for me, the risk is too great - especially right before boarding on a 12 hour flight with 1 toilet per 100 passengers. Too many times on my travels have I had to refrain from "I told you so" to companions who insisted that the local water was fine according to the guidebooks or authorities. One of the four movies we watched on the plane (yes 4 full movies and still plenty of time for food and the FREE wine on foreign airlines) was Sex and the City which had a hilarious but scatological scene based on one innocent slip/sip in the shower of a 5 star elegant Mexican resort.

I often carry a "Platypus" .5 ml collapsble water bag because it is much lighter and less bulky than a bottle and can go in a purse side pocket. I empty it before going through security and refill from a water fountain, faucet or if necessary from bottled water. I have gotten some funny looks when drinking from it because it looks like an IV bag. It comes in different sizes and has acessories including filtration kits. I bought mine at a sportswear store.
http://www.platy.com

Some security personnel must get extra points for over-caution. About 30 years ago when hijaking of planes was common one of my boys put his day-glo green "brass knuckles" water gun in my purse. The "knuckles" went over the fingers. The reservoir which was hidden in the fist resembled a hand grenade so security would not let it go on the plane nor would they allow a stewardess to put it away until after the flight. They could plainly see that it was a toy but we had to get a box and put it through as checked luggage.
I carry a small spray bottle of water in my purse to mist my face for cooling and setting makeup, to spay on my "coiffure" when I don't have time to set it, and as part of my on-the-go watercolor kit. I once had to do the TSA Hokey Pokey because it showed up on the xray of my purse. If I had been asked I would have shown that it was empty.

Malka

Dianne, I am no indulger either. I used to like a good german beer when I was mowing my 3 acre lawn. Heck, I would enjoy the taste of fruit juice. LOL The best taste I have for liquid is black coffee.