Hi Meredith, My Johnny has never had any swallowing therapy as your John has had. According to the surgeon who performed the neck dissection, he said that eating and swallowing should be OK for him, and quite frankly it was getting a bit better for awhile (he was even chowing on a cheeseburger when he was in the hospital!)....but just from the past few days (probably since Saturday) he has been having trouble with all that I had mentioned previously. He also has been very tired - he slept the whole day away yesterday (except when he had to go to the ER for the laceration). He also said there was a heaviness or a sense of pressure in the upper part of his chest. When he was at the hospital yesterday - the doc on call checked his lungs, and they were clear. He said he feels somewhat better today - but still nowhere as he should be feeling. I really think it has something to do with the swelling in his neck and under the chin, and the lymphatic system finding it's "new way". He decided not to wait the 10 - 12 days for the follow-up as the doctor on call suggested, so he is going to make an appt. for either this Thursday or Friday with his ENT surgeon to take a look. I'll keep you all posted on the latest, and I hope for the all the best for your John as well. I'm glad to hear that his new therapist shows determination with him - the last thing anyone needs is a so-called professional with such poor bed-side manners that doesn't offer any hope. There is ALWAYS hope! So don't let anyone tell you otherwise! Give my best to John and tell him I'm pulling for him!! Good luck.