Thank you everyone for your kind words. I'm humbled by the way you see me based on the words I've spoken. I will most certainly keep you all updated every step of the way. I am very happy to have stumbled upon this site and see there are so many wonderful people out there to provide support. We all need to stick together, it makes getting through this so much easier.

David, as soon as I was cleared to eat I started doing food instead of the peg tube. I also talk as much as I can to try and become more clear and build up my muscles. I only use the tube to take my meds as my discharge papers specifically said to crush the pills and mix with water and take it through the PEG. One of the first things my oral surgeons and radiologist recommended were the fluoride trays, I have an appointment with my dentist this upcoming week to be fitted for them. Unfortunately since this has all happened so fast and I will be starting my radiation within the next two weeks, I won't have a long period of time with the fluoride trays before hand, but I'm assuming I will be able to use them during radiation as long as the mucositis isn't too bad, though from research I've done mucositis seems to be just about guaranteed. My swallowing has improved dramatically already and I'll work on it as much as I can. I have a speech therapist who comes to the house and gives me swallowing exercises to work on as well.