You guys have been great with your responses. But I see you're mostly tonsil patients. I had a partial glossectomy so My problem is getting that tongue in working order. So far ( as I haven't started radiation yet) everything tastes as it should. I crossed a mini milestone this week too -- I am now able to drink water ... not huge amounts at one time..no chugging from a mug just yet. But to take a couple of sips of cold water and have it go the right way is just heaven. I've also noticed that carbonated beverages work well too -- as I've said I won't start radiation until May 13th so stinging isnt a problem for me. This morning I took a small plastic cup and filled it half with perrier and half with tap water to reduce the fizziness and put it in the freezer until it was starting to get icy. A couple of sips of that was pretty darn refreshing. Well, off to do my tongue exercises!