Hi Valerie, 5 weeks after radiotherapy I was just about drinking water too - I lost the ability to swallow during the treatment altogether. However, I didn't have any breathing issues.

It took me quite a while after this before I could manage even thin soup or yoghurt orally, but once I could things speeded up a lot - just over 3 months after treatment I could take all my nutrition orally (in blended form).

My facial swelling was definitely going down by 5 weeks, though everyone is different. The improvements are slow at this time, and it is very frustrating, because having completed the treatment we 'expect' to feel better faster than it actually happens.

good luck and hopefully things will improve soon,

John