Lee,

I am 4+ years out and what David has written is important to digest (no pun intended). Food and water are the most important things you can do to keep energy going and avoid the PEG tube. I ended up on a tube because I lost 10 lbs the first 2 weeks because it just sucked to eat or drink anything. The side effects of radiation hit me quicker than most.

As for the taste, mine did not totally "recover" until 14 months after the radiation Tx. This goes almost hand-in-hand with the amount of saliva. At about that same time, I noticed the saliva had returned to the post surgery amount. I can not tolerate peppers and various hot foods now because it feels like I dump alcohol on an open wound on the tongue.

Anyway, I hope that gives you and long term picture of what you are facing.

Jim