Geez you have some wonderful co-workers there. I do know that some people are profoundly uncomfortable with those of us who have a serious illness and some say some really stupid things. But for everyone to ignore you seems a bit odd to me.

Everyone is different with radiation pain. I was told that a few weeks after treatment was over I'd start to feel better. It was about 3 months for me! I was ready to cash it in. But I finally started coming around and have no pain anymore. Nothing is truly normal but it's good enough. You didn't lose your sense of taste. I lost mostly "sweet" taste but can taste salt fine. Mostly things are bland.

Keep hanging in there and let time help you.

Diagnosed in March 2011. Treatment ended May 28, 2011. Back of tongue cancer with one lymph node(stage 4). Feeding tube 5 - 2011, to 9 - 2011. Some saliva and taste. Eating most foods; meat, fish and dry foods not so well. Swallowing pretty normal otherwise. Doing well now. The future? Who knows.