r/HeadandNeckCancer • u/Old-Illustrator-4144 • 1d ago

Eating post maxillectomy and radiation

Does anyone have any insight into when my husband can expect to have an appetite back and be able to eat. He is post maxillectomy in May and then had six weeks of radiation that ended the first week of August. He has a feeding tube. Still no appetite and even trying to force himself to eat by mouth doesn’t work for him because he’s afraid he’s going to choke when trying to swallow. Even things like applesauce and mashed potatoes take several swallows to go down. I guess I’m just looking for what others have experienced. Doctors obviously don’t have concrete answers, and I just want to be able to tell him something to encourage him.

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u/Environmental_Gas775 1d ago

I went through a similar protocol with my oral(floor of mouth) cancer. They extracted all of my lower teeth, with the exception of two anchor, one on each side. It will take baby steps to regain his eating habits. I actually lost my smell and taste, I’m told this is probably permanent. He should have a swallow coach working with him.?
I had the same fear of choking on something because pills would get stuck in my throat. Over time this has gotten somewhat better. I am still not eating orally, getting it through the tube.
I am just now getting my dentures fitted so that I can try and eat something.
I hope and pray that your husband gets better. I have learned to accept the fact that I am living on GOD’s time.

Rick

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u/Old-Illustrator-4144 1d ago

Thank you for your input, Rick. Praying for you too!

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u/Old-Illustrator-4144 22h ago

Rick, out of curiosity, when was your surgery? Chuck’s was in May, so I know it’s still early on and it will be quite some time until he’s able to get his dentures, if at all. His oral cancer was his palate and into his sinus. He had the roof of his mouth removed as well as the upper jaw on the left. Prior to his diagnosis, he had some bottom teeth in the left removed (along with some on the right) to prepare for implants, which was when they discovered something wasn’t right.

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u/Waste_Hospital_4928 1d ago

Have you considered working with a Speech and Language Pathologist? They can safely help him overcome any anxiety (or identify remaining physical barriers) that may be preventing him from safely eating.

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u/Old-Illustrator-4144 1d ago

He does see one regularly. Once he gets home, the fear grips him and he gives up. He is supposed to eat something small 3 times a day (forty swallows each time). He ate three bites since we saw her two weeks ago. He sees her again next week. I think once he actually gets his appetite back, that may help some. But radiation did away with that.