Our circumstances are different because my cancer was Stage 4 tonsil cancer. A tumor in the right tonsil. The treatment was huge doses of chemotherapy and 37 days of radiation. I did not have any surgery. The damage I am dealing with was caused by the radiation because it stays with you forever and continues to be active. My cancer was in 2003, more than 20 years ago but the side effects of the radiation have been numerous. I have lost all but three of my molars and on the right side a lot of jaw bone tissue was damaged, my thyroid and saliva glands were damaged and I have nerve damage in my neck and down my right arm. Difficulty eating started with the loss of my molars and lack of saliva so I couldn't chew foods enough to be able to swallow them. It wasn't long until the only thing I could eat was very soft foods and energy drinks. Then aspiration increased dramatically over the past 5 years. My immune system is weak and I must be very careful not to develop the flu or any other respiratory diseases/allergies, etc. Before getting the tube I had been hospitalized 3 times in 2 years for aspiration pneumonia. Dry mouth is also a severe problem and my teeth will probably be damaged because of that. My day to day life is pretty good but I can no longer do a lot of the activities I used to. Cancer is a mean disease but sometimes I think the treatment is mean too! But without the treatment I would not be here today. Wishing you well - Take care.