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Life after tongue and throat cancer

Tigger08
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hi I am new to all this so wish I had found it a while ago. I am 51 years old and last year just before my 50th birthday I was diagnosed with base tongue cancer also infected lymph nodes.I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy which ended in august last year, I had my first all clear in December what an amazing Christmas present.Now been off treatment for 14 months and I am well, but I was hoping to get back to how I used to be,but it's not happening, I know I should be thankful I am alive and I am but don't think now there is any chance of my taste buds returning, I can taste very little food I find it hard to chew and can't eat anything that is dry so every day my food consists of pasta and sauce. I used to love having a glass of wine but that has also gone it feels like it is burning my mouth. I am on 8 weeks checkups at moment and I go so low when the time is due, is this how I am going to feel for the rest of my life. Is anyone else feeling as I am

thanks in advance

  • Offline in reply to April30

    I'm almost 2 yrs now & my tongue is fine, it took a good year and half for it to feel 'normal'
    Hope that helps 

  • Offline in reply to Colinb

    I'm intrigued about the wine helping with mucus. At the moment I can't bear to drink water, let alone wine. I like the sound of your treatment! Susan 

  • Offline in reply to NanaW

    Hi NanaW, yes ,I had similar treatment 3 years ago and find things stick in my throat, I have taken pills and cannot feel them, sometimes they turn up an hour or two later,I always seem to have a cold, and food taste seems better but comes and goes, Sometimes I seem to inhale bits of food which makes me cough, last week I coughed up a pea,  also I tend to bite the inside of my cheek, like you I am not moaning its interesting to compare how others are coping with this condition

    Take care .

  • Offline in reply to Forester

    Thank you so much for your reply which i can totally identify with, two years later I still struggle with pork & chicken breast but thigh is okay, steak is fine & my slow cooker is always on cooking beef & lamb casseroles etc.,  rice is a no no & where as I loved tomato based pasta dishes I now prefer cream based, loved Pepsi max & now very rarely drink fizzy drinks unless diluted with water or lots of ice cubes. My taste buds can change at anytime but my consultant said that after 2 years that’s unlikely to change now - I can live with that .... yes that’s it isn’t it i CAN LIVE with it :). The pills thing brings a smile as I can also identify with that. Stay well & stay safe

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