It is now September 8th and I am very much improved. Greatful to be alive and on the road to recovery and looking like my "old" self. I have found that each specialist has their own interest and purpose as well as oncern and they will not always recommend holistic approaches like manual lymphatic message ans scar message therapy teamed with exercise. I must let everyone know these have helped my healing substantially! The manual lymphatic message first done by a physical therapist supplemented by me per their direction has substantially reduced and in places eliminated swelling in face and neck! The scar message has broken up the scar tissue I'm my neck where it is barely visible and my left arm (which was used to reconstruct my tongue)! Hard to believe but it really works. Because radiation effects can appear even 5-10 years later doing these techniques myself is a rest of life requirement because I value the quality of range of motion of my neck, arms, mouth and throat. I recommend, if you can, see about PT and/OT within 3-6 months following surgery and radiation. Waiting allows muscle and scar tissue to harden creating a sort of atrophy ( I see other patients with it who have not received therapy on my check ups). Remember, use it or lee it is relevant even after treatment for this horrible life-threatening condition. It seems the surgeon (for whom I am forever greatful), the oncologist and radiologist are mostly concerned with survival and/or reoccurance not reconditioning after they are done with their miraculous work. Respectful of their contributions and totally understand. However, each of us must take care of recovery which includes healthy eating, and as suggested lymphatic message and exercise. Hope this held others.