I am one of those unlucky individuals whose epiglottis was severly damaged by radiation (malshaped). Everything I try to swallow, I aspirate, I cannot take a swallow of water. I use artificial saliva mixed with biotene mouth wash, in a spray bottle, to keep the interior of my mouth moist. I label my spray bottle OPS (other peoples spit) it fits into a shirt pocket, amd I use it frequently. When I first contracted cancer, I was a fatty, weighing in at a super-obese 370 pounds. I was adicted to food. I now weigh 192 pounds. My waist size at my largest was 58", now I wear a comfortable 38. I continue to loose fat but I have increased my (balanced) protien intake to burn the fat and add muscle. I am 62 yeras old so I can't have a 40 year old body. But now that I am in remission I feel good and try to excercise as much as possible for a senior.
Love
Darrell