22/10/2024
Update..
Photo of scar tissue attached. Looks like a spear head..
Hard to believe its almost 1 year since I sat in the Dr's office and got the diagnosis. What a wild ride.
I had my 6 month check up yesterday and overall things went pretty well. I had another nasal endoscopy which in layman terms is a camera up the nose and tracked down the throat. No signs of any more tumour and everything has healed really well with minimal scar tissue. I have a small spot on the roof of my mouth - which has been bothering me for a while. The Dr couldn't see it last time but managed to find what I was talking about this time with the camera. Hopefully sending me through a pic. He believes 100% it is scar tissue and nothing to worry about. It just feels like an ulcer and only flares up towards the end of my meals. It is definately improving though. I also potentially have some minor Radiation Induced Fibrosis which again, in layman terms, is inflammation and damage to the soft tissue in my jaw. This is unfortunately not something that will likely go away and could worsen as times goes on. I just need to keep stretching my jaw or I could develop difficulties opening my mouth - now thats something I would really struggle with. My jaw gets a little sore sometimes and makes a weird squelching kind of noise but I can live with that. Now I know why cancer patients jokingly all Radiation - the gift that keeps on giving.
My taste buds I reckon are probably at about 75%. I still cant taste chocolate, sweet things are hit and miss, pepper is not my friend nor are many spicy things - I've become a real wimp when it comes to chilli and curry which breaks my heart. My salivary glands will never recover and are working at maybe 50% so dry mouth is an issue. Forget peanut butter ! Cakes, unless they are really moist are challenging as is toast and bread rolls. I can eat them, but its hard to swallow. I need to drink regularly as my mouth gets sore when its dry.
So with all of this I haven't put any weight back on. I haven't lost any either though. I suppose in summary - food just isn't quite as good as it used to be. But hey, small price to pay.
My energy levels are pretty good but strength isn't what it used to be. Time to work on that now. With the weather getting warmer I will be getting back in the pool.
Next check-in 3 months
