John. I have a colorful history similar to yours as I tried to recover from my treatment. In short, I ended treatment on May 27, 2011 and really couldn't eat for the next two fo three months. I did get some Boost down and some soup but mostly it was the feeding tube that kept me alive. I swallowed water every day to keep my swallowing muscles working but it was very painful and a real chore. In late August I started to puree my food and just did my best to "drink" a normal meal. It was another month before I could even try to eat, say, a bowl of cereal but from September on I started to swallow better. It was 3 full months of hell AFTER my treatment before I could eat even somewhat normally. I had the feeding tube removed in late September and have been doing better ever since.

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.