Yesterday I finished treatments, now begins the recovery process....Time line data requested.. How long before I am able to swallow, etc.

Darrell,

I think that will depend upon you and how willing you are to push yourself. You may have to take pain meds before eating for a few weeks. I'd wait about 2 weeks before trying to swallow, but if you want to try before then I think that's great. The longer you wait the more apt you are to loose some function. My swallowing is no where near where it was before radiation. The best exercise for swallowing is swallowing. Liquid might be the toughest to begin with.

Congratulations on making it through!!! Remember to be patient with yourself. Measure time in weeks and months rather than in days. You can do it. I'm routing for a quick recovery.

Lynn

Congrats on finishing treatment Darrell. From approx. the 4th week of radiation on I only drank water. I had a tube and made good use of it. I didn't even attempt to eat anything, just drank non-stop water and used the tube. I finished last July 10th and kept and used the tube until December. It was at least two months after treatment that I was eating anything substantial, I kept drinking water so my swallowing function was good, and I did milk shakes, etc. What I also did was stretch my jaw constantly to avoid trismus. I have full range as far as opening my mouth.
Patience Darrell, in my experience the weeks after end of treatment were my personal worst. I expected to eat AND to feel better immediately and that didn't happen.
Good luck to you!

Darrell, I`m gonna say don`t push yourself, give yourself time to heal, everyone heals at a differnet rate, when the docs give you the go ahead, do it,I would not push myself without the docs go ahead, you need time to heal..........Love and Hugs .................Dee

Darrell,

Congratulations on this major milestone! You have a few rough days ahead of you but once you start eating, times will get much better. I started eating right away but they were trying to eliminate my job at work and the doc wouldn't let me go back until I started eating. I went back after two weeks and I had fried catfish and fried chicken the first day back. It was still mighty tasty but a bit rough without lots of liquid as I ate. I still do that, seven months later.

Water was the toughest thing to swallow and still is. Dr Pepper was all I could drink the first two months and I hear that is unusual from a lot of others. It went down good and soothed my throat. I was drinking about 10-12 cans a day and when I got my blood checked at the ER, I had a blood sugar level of almost 300. They (and I) freaked. I read something about sugar and cancer and I have not had a Dr Pepper or any soda since December. I guess it scared me.

Keep the humidifier going while you sleep. Sip any liquid you can as often as possible.

Ed

Congratulations, Darrell! Everyone's ability to heal is different. For me it got worse before it got better. I never did lose the ability to swallow, but the first week after treatment ended was the worst. Get lots of sleep and be patient.

-Brett

Hey Darrell,
Praise God...finally finished the treatments. Dan had two pretty rough weeks after treatment ended, then started to slowly feel better. He began using his PEG third week of treatment and is still using it. He is 2 months post treatment and just in the last 2 weeks has started eating and drinking some. It's a slow process, but coming along. Water is hard but he drinks some by mouth everyday now. He can eat some puddings, a little fruit, had some pasta with sauce and did pretty good with that. He would love it to happen much faster, but as said above, patience is the key!
I am so happy for you!!
Debbie

Congradulations on completing your treatment Darrell!!! When you start eating only you can answer. Each one of us reacts differentely to the same treatment. Your ENT should be able to give you some direction. If you can swallow by all means start eating some soft foods, I started with a big bowl of homemade chicken soup. It was really good plus soup goes down easy. The more you eat the better off you will be. No better exercise for the throat mucles than using them. Beware of a getting down when you end treatment. It happens to many of us. What Now???? I'm on my own!!! Thankfully you can vent and ask questions here that will help you.

Your Friend, Dan

Well done Darrell
The only way now is up.. good to hear your news keep us posted... look after yourself
hugs
Helen

Isn't it so exciting to hear of someone completing treatment!

Ed

Congratulations Darrell, it can only get better now however long it takes you to eat.
My husband had fish and chips last week and only choked once! Happy days..
Good luck and remember to keep the calories up.
Marica

Congratulations Darrell, I finished on the same day 2003 and am now doing so well. I didn't use a tube, was able to swallow liquid food throughout. Am doing so well now after an initial slow recovery. I'm off to a restaurant for lunch today confident that I'll be able to eat without any embarassing chokes etc. Small frequent meals seem to be a successful option during recovery. There are recipes and hints for dry, sore mouth on the American Cancer Society site. Best wishes from Helen, with love

Yay Daryll!!! I am very close also, 6 more radiation including today! I think that most are right about swallowing what you can, at least keep the water going. Chicken noodle soup noodles go down ok. I had a chocolate milkshake last night, only choked some. My ENT said I'm probably better off to keep eating orally anything I can manage to keep things functioning - use it or lose it! The nutritionists have been all over my ass about using my tube, but the formula just doesn't work for me. So I struggle a lot and choke down foods best I can, but I think I'll be stronger in the long & short run.

Thanks all, I can feel the love and concern. Upward and onward....My attitude is excellent.... The best thing is, I no longer have to travel 200 miles daily for treatments.
Thanks
Darrell

Darrell-
Congratulations on finishing treatment!!! My doctor also said I couldn't go back to work until I started eating but I just took the pole and bags to my office and let the fluids drip for 45 minutes at lunch while I worked away!! I was back to work two weeks past treatment part time. Water didn't work well at first, but Starbucks frappachinos did and rice or tapioca pudding. Swollowing came back pretty quick but it took a few months for the taste to return. Medical coverage was my biggest motivator in returning to work. If you can afford the luxury, take it slow. Good luck! - Kris