Hello jg99t9.
You and I are very similar. The radiation to my throat produced extreme pain when trying to swallow. It took a year before I could even talk again. One day, after about 3 months of having the thing, it simply fell out. The doctor wanted to put it back, but I declined, as I was determined to get my throat functioning again. Various pain-relieving medications (topical/oral) helped get me through. Also, I utilized a red-light therapy wand twice per day by waving it around the back of my throat area. For me, it was the best decision, because it wasn't long before the swallowing became easier and easier. The therapist that helped formulate my throat exercises and such told me "Use it or lose it." That stuck with me. One day, during an appointment, she brought me in a small plate of Italian Rigatoni. It was so delicious, it was gobbled down quickly---to her astonishment. It felt as if I hadn't eaten in months...I hadn't!!! You are in my thoughts and prayers. Soldier on!