Thanks for all your replies. I guess it's lucky I don't like anything sparkling, including champagne. By the way, when can I drink wine again? One guy with the same treatment told me it took him three years. I can drink alcoholic drinks as long as they are extremely diluted. I have learned to adapt at restaurants. The worst part is that I am dating again and dining out can be kind of embarrassing what with all the coughing. I think I am having more problems with aspiration from plain liquids than food. And also having to turn my head to the left and tilt it down before swallowing so the food will not get stuck in the throat. Sexy, huh?

Lauren

I guess I should have said that I was DX 10/07 at Stage 3, one node under three centimeters, unknown primary. ND and tonsillectomy 11/07. No cancer found in tonsils. No more affected neck nodes. Did watchful waiting until 7/08 when biopsy found 4 mm SCC in tongue base. IMRT 37 sessions with weekly chemo began 9/09. Clean PET/CTs since.