Hi there Ankrhealth, Thank you for your post and for providing information to our online community members. Unfortunately, your video link will be removed as it is not information, or research approved by Cancer Council.  Kind regards Susana ... View more

The word obturator felt familiar, but I couldn't place it - was guessing at a nerve in the lower back - but when I went to search it ....   ahhh, sweet weepin' Jesus, terrible stuff.   I don't have any practical advice (except that soup is the best mate of anybody who's had head & neck cancer treatment), I just felt that it's such a ghastly thing to suffer with - not just the practicalities of eating, but also just having your overall self esteem rattled (assuming you can look through the face and see the inner workings).   I feel such a deep sympathy for someone dealing with that.   It's strange, I carry pain and daily problems, but to the outside world I just get judgemental looks due to the obesity (radiation destroyed my thyroid and weight piled on after treatment).  It's not a self-consciousness or a paranoia, people do genuinely look at you and judge you ever day.  Having an exposed sinus cavity and an obturator sounds cosmetically awful.   But also functionally tough too.   Maybe try luke-warm to warm soups / broth, easy to eat stuff, and consume it via the spoonful (or even a straw) ?     We all have to eat, but we don't all have to eat in the SAME way - it would be ideal to find some kind of enjoyment from food / mealtime, or at a minimum to make it as convenient and functional as possible.   Soup is the friend of the head & neck cancer patient, beyond that, sorry, I wish I could give some helpful advice.   If he's demoralised by the cosmetics as well, I'd say find ways to rebuild fun - ie what "fun" actaully means.  Considering stuff like:   - if he's reluctant to go out into the world, but never really been a computer guy, if you're cashed up, get a VR kit and some VR story games - it truly immerses you in a 3D video like story experience that can bring fun into your home - (or expand on existing hobbies or find a new one - I started learning the guitar) - if reluctant to go out into the world, but willing to try, think of some kind of mask or cosmetic prosthesis if you don't already have one, and activities that minimise (the ignorant or the unkind) people from staring and making him feel bad about the missing nose .. stuff like the movies, you know .. it gives normalcy but no staring as youre in a dark room   Hey maybe he still has my schnozz and I've misinterpretted the condition, if so, sorry !   I know the cosmetics are secondary to functionality and survival, but I reckon morale still plays an important part in a cancer patient's life.  We have to have (and protect) a sense of hope. ... View more

He does drink ensure with 350 calories and 13g protein (4 daily along with 8 oz. of whole milk each time).  The lack of saliva  is what bothers him the most. His 3 month post treatment PET scan showed no cancer. Also his dr. was not surprised about the saliva. He said he should see some improvement by 6 months. He is trying acupuncture as suggested by the speech and swallow therapist.  ... View more

Hi Mandy, I was thinking it would take awhile for his hair to grow back.  He is using biotene rinse for dry mouth and distilled water to flush out his dry and stuffy nose. Thankfully a nurse told him not to use tap water for that. He can taste sweet things almost normal and other foods taste ok. It is hard for him to chew and swallow meat and potatoes and fish even with drinking to wash it down. His weight is stable for several weeks now and actually gained a pound. (He lost a total of 40 lbs since the end of February when he was diagnosed)  I hope you will be feeling better soon ... View more

I have had treatment recently for tonsil cancer, the thick spit is awful. I rinse and gargle all the time with bicarb and water about a quarter of a teaspoon  in a cup of water , I don’t swallow it . It helps to liquify the spit  and helps nasty taste in the mouth . I wish your husband luck with his treatment  Mandy 2 ... View more

Hi there CAP,   I don't know whether or not you've seen this yet but, @CaptainAustrali  started a conversation  a while ago that is bound to have some good information for you as there have been over 140 responses.                        Your experience with side effects from head & neck cancer treatment (radiation / mucositis)                          I hope this helps you.   Budgie ... View more