Maybe I can be of some use on the swallowing issues. I had a free flap replacement of my lower jaw and floor of the mouth last July. I was told to stay on a liquid diet (boost, ensure, etc.), but most of it made me sick. I tried to blend foods up, but the taste and texture was both sick in color, but nasty tasting. I had a friend who had radiation for a brain tumor that had a lot of problems swallowing, and she said to try sour cream with the meal. I cut the foods into very small pieces and used the sour cream as a "lubricant". It works wonders. Of course my tongue was sensitive, but the sour cream soothed that too. I now think I am the largest consumer of sour cream in California. I buy up to 9 - 3# buckets of the stuff each 2 weeks. Give it a try...you never know. Good luck and God Bless