Just wanted to say hello. I'm from NZ too - had treatment in Auckland but no rads or chemo for my tongue cancer. My speech therapist tells me that some people find a sip of a fizzy drink helpful when their speech is hindered by saliva. Doesn't seem to work for me but I take water wherever I go because - even though I have too much saliva - the water thins it down.

1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.