Tom:

Unfortunately things usually get much worse before they get better especially as treatments progress. The spit will turn into very thick mucous which is difficult to deal with. Then will come dry mouth. As David mentioned, losing your voice is a common thing alot of us went thru. For me it was about 3 weeks of using a dry erase board, my kids loved it.

Its not going to be easy making plans so close to the end of finishing your tx. At 6 weeks out I was still in pretty bad shape but did go back to work only part time with light duty. I think by going back to work so soon it made it harder for me to recover. Mentally it worked wonders being around people helped lift my spirits, but it wore me out. After my recurrance, I was completely wiped out and that was only treated with surgery.

Hang in there, tx can be brutal, fatigue is a long lasting post tx side effect. Honestly, cant advise you on if you will be able to do the speach. Everyone recovers at their own pace, most arent ready to be working at 6 weeks post tx. Might want to get yourself a dependable backup speaker just in case you arent up to it.