Hello again, my husband finishes his IMRT tomorrow!!! He will have done 33 treatments and I am so happy I think I might cry just knowing that now we can start the road to recovery. I know he will not get better overnight, but wanted to know what others experiences have been. How long before you could eat, how long before you were able to get rid of the PEG? He has done very well, with the exception of not being able to eat and the mucus. Those have been his biggest issues. I think it is the mucus that has been causing his sickness this past week. It has been a rough couple of months and we are exhausted and ready for improvement. Thank you as always for your input and encouragement.

Hi skpo7, Congratulations on finally having completed the radiation treatments. Yes, mucus is a problem, but nothing that isn't manageable. You can get a suction machine to use at home iwhich is big help. My insurance paid for it. I used it for about two months. Then the mucus subsided considerably and was much more manageable. Naturally everyone heals at a different rate, but the suction machine I kept by my bed and used it several times at night and during the day too. The PEG I kenpt for nine months. Towards the end I didn't use it much. The peg does have an advantage. If you need to drink something that you don't like the taste of, put it down the "tube" and I didn't have to taste what is considered unpleasent. Eating soft foods at the beginning and gradually add to your menu. The Dr.s t Mayo explained to me that I could take Boost or Ensure at least five times a day. I found that difficult at first but I forced myself as I knew I needed the nutrition. They also told me us Carnation Instant Breakfast and mix it with milk. It had about the same nutrients at Boost etc., but the cost was much more reasonable. I noticed an improvement no matter how small every day and celebrated successes and don't dwel on small details that might get in the way of a very poitive attitude. The worse is over and enjoy each new day.

Hacklene

Hi,

My personal experience was.

Finished treatment on Dec. 6, Was able to eat on Jan 29. I had a VERY inflamed mouth from the radiation, 5fu, and radiation bouncing off my fillings. I had my neck disection on Jan 31, and they removed the peg the day after since I was eating.

The first thing I was able to get down was oatmeal.

All experiences are different. I do hope that his recovery is quicker than mine.

Stve

I was told, and it did work out this way for me, that I wouldn't see any improvement for about 2-3 weeks after treatment ended. I rinsed a lot throughout the day with baking soda and salt mixture to breakdown the mucas. I think maybe a month after treatment ended I started to experiment with eating cream soups and puddings, along with drinking my Carnation VHC drinks. I had to relearn how to swallow because I hadn't used these muscles in a long time. They kept telling me if you don't use them, you lose them. My ENT had me take a swallowing test about a month after treatment to see if my throat needed stretched. Luckily I didn't.

The problem I have with eating now, 3 months out from treatment, is that I have no saliva to help with swallowing. I just about have to drink a sip of water with every bite.

I hope this helps and good luck on the recovery.

Tom

The 2 weeks immediately after finishing radiation were much worse for me. I had more nausea, mucous, and neck pain than the 6 weeks of IMRT.

I did not start eating until June, ended trt in Feb.

Hang in there. It will get better.T1N2, SCC right tonsil, rad,chemo and neck dissection.

skp07, tell your other half congrats on finishing treatment. Now it is time to sit back and heal. His body has been traumatised and it will take a long while to recover. Other than losing my taste and the super sore throat I didn't have too bad of a time getting over the rads. I worked all thru my treatments and I had no peg tube. His energy level will come up after about 3 weeks or so. Everybody heals differently so use these responses as information only, not as gospel. Good luck and enjoy the new"norm".

You're SO right...everyone heals differently! So don't despair...maybe your hubby will be as lucky as mine has been...He is back to eating beef tenderloin, port tenderloin, Italian sausages, fresh salmon & tuna...all the things he loves. I think that strong will and determination plays a great part in recuperation. Just tell him not to 'push' himself before HE is ready...listen to HIS body and respond accordingly!

Wishing you luck! Lois & Buzz in NC