Timothy,

I'm about 4 years out from my treatment and went through a lot of what you're describing. I didn't get a PEG and lost about 80 pounds in 5 months after starting out at about 230 pounds. I had the salivary glands on my right side removed, so I've had to adapt and always have a water bottle with me.

As I remember, the mucus went away about the same time that I started eating regular food again (about 2 months after radiation finished). The lymphedema lingered a lot longer, about a year. After my insurance year started over, I went back to the lymphedema therapist and got an additional treatment or two and that seemed to fix it.

Try not to worry about recurrence. Hang in there, it will take time, but you'll eventually get back to something like normal.

Sean

Diagnosed at age 49 with SCC on tongue, July, 2013, non-drinker, non-smoker.
Surgery August, 2013, with partial glossectomy, neck dissection, forearm flap.
30 rounds of radiation, completed in November, 2013. No chemo.
Currently clear. Still teaching high school.