Hi Laureanne, i may be of some help with the taste and swelling. I had half of my tongue and part of the floor of my mouth removed and replaced with a flap from my left forearm, in march of this year. This was followed by 35 radiotherapy and 2 chemo in june/july. My tongue is still quite swollen but is gradually going down and hopefully will be back to normal soon. I had the same trouble as you with eating and drinking, but i am now able to drink normally and i am able to eat quite a variety of foods providing they are soft or mashed up. Things do vary from person to person so dont feel too bad if you think its taking time to happen. As for my forearm site, it has completely healed and is hardly noticable now. I only had my trach for 2 weeks, but never had a peg so i cant help with that one. Hope this has been of some help. Good luck for a speedy recovery. Clive.P.S. I can now taste most of what i eat, and it is improving week by week.