First thanks for the site, my name is Kenny. I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma at the base of tongue, stage 4 (just because of size), 22 mo ago. I underwent radiation two times a day for 6 wks. They couldn't do surgery first cause it was in both arterys of my tongue. Wanted to shrink it first. I responded very well to the radiation, killed it to date. I lost taste buds & saliva, some of each has returned. Coping with that is a challenge. A water bottle hangs from my hip, but the taste buds are something else. Sugar is bad, "tastes like aluminum", and it can also knock out what's left of taste for awhile. Hot spices are totaly out. I would like to converse with people of like problems & experiences.