Deano-
I was diagnosed with base of tongue/tonsillur cancer with mets to left lymph nodes. I had surgery-radical neck dissection and at the site. I took amofostine and cisplatin,with bilateral radiation. I needed the tube, I couldn't swallow and later on wouldn't even try. I kept the tube a year or so to ensure I was able to get suffcient fluid. Carnation Instant Brakfast was my first fluid. I had horrible nausea, and vomited 4-5 times daily. Taking intravenous fluids along with anti-emetic meds helped. Going to hospital for IV fluid on weekends helped the most. Gargling with "magic mouthwash" proscribed my rad doc soothed my throat after I was sick.
I often felt so bad that I was sure I was just going through the motions for my husband who was insistant that we do the most aggressive therapies we could. However, I still have some saliva thanks to the amofostine, I lost some hearing due to the cisplatin, and since I didn't work my jaw muscles, I have trismus. But you know what- I'm very alive four years later. I'm in college working on a BSN. I'm around to raise our thirteen year old daughter, and I do as much sevice work as I can in my community. Stick with your treatment, there can be a wonderful life after it, no matter what it's length. Sue