Halfway mark comes tomorrow and things seem to be looking up. Sudden swelling of the back of tongue had been causing excruciating pain every time i swallowed as the tongue scrapes the sores on the roof of the mouth back there every time I swallow. But swelling has gone down a lot since I took oral steroid treatment. And finally got right painkillers. Three times a day I take the magic mouthwash and guzzle high calorie shakes. My taste - at least sweetness - has not faded much, which has made me lucky. Hope the luck lasts! I was super fortunate not to need chemo. Thanks to all on the forum.