I just came back to this topic and realized I never read the last couple of posts other people put here. I want to thank everyone for their en couragement. It turns out that now, 6 weeks out, the phlegm has let up a LOT, though I still do some spitting everyday and every now and then have a few hours when its as bad as it used to be.

My problem now is my tongue is SO sore in spots that I can't seem to find anythong to eat that doesn't make it hurt really badly. I actually can't even drink regular water without it styinging really badly. As I think I mentioned before, I have found iced tea works without hurting too much but I think the tea is staining my teeth really badly (especially since the enamel on them is probably poor after the radiation) and I'm worrying about drinking nothing but that.

The whole bottom left side of my tongue is very red and irrirtated looking, and actually has been forever--since before radiation even--but back then even though it looked red and irritated, it wasn't so pain sensitive. Now, it just stings like crazy when I try to drink water or even (today) eat something creamy like some leted ice cream ( melted because I heard somehting too cold could hurt). Menahwile, after a long period of never really feeling hungry, I am beginning to have real sensations of hunger again but NOT for another can of Jevity but for some kind of "real" food. I bought a few cream soups today and I'm ging to try those. The other thing that doesn't bother my mouth is the good old saline solution so maybe a soup with a little more salt in it will do the trick.

Can anyone tell me what you found you could eat or drink early on when lots of things still hurt? I'd be very curious.