@harleytiger I'm a few days past my 2 year an from tongue cancer surgery. It sounds like you are healing well! The best I can tell you is that healing, eating, taste, etc is slow...very slow...extremely slow! The neck stiffness come and goes. I also have times when swelling in my mouth and throat are an issue. Then I will go weeks,with no issues. I've learned that when problems come up they are not permanent. So don't be discouraged if you have times when your throat is tighter or mouth is drier....it will pass. I was told that by other patients and its true. Good times get longer and bad times are shorter.
I triggered my taste buds with salty, sweet, and sour to get them to relearn their job. Dill pickles, lemon slices, cheap candy suckers all helped trigger taste and saliva. I would drink water and touch them to my tongue. Sometimes it triggered nerve pain on my surgical side. But my saliva is pretty much normal now. Taste, too. Good luck to you. Sandy