Danny, you are correct about standard radiation. However, Gary and I had IMRT, which returns one much closer to normal than the other kind. I wish with all my heart that IMRT had been available for every person with dry mouth! Although I had some gosh awful burns inside and out, my eating is now normal and other than the surgical scars, when my hair grows back I will be pretty much as I was before. I hope that for you, there will be steady progress until you are able to enjoy eating again.
Joanna (Give me three wishes and you know what disease will be history in one big hurry!)