@dragonfire
Hello. I had the same HPV cancer and treatment that you have. Mine was a Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. I am seven years out. All I can say is that the tough times are where you’re at. It will get better. The things that got me through is focusing on the bright side of everything around me. And, not focusing on beating myself up for making a decision. This decision that I made has given me life. Yes, there are challenges along the way and there were times when we broke down and cried our eyes out. But the end result is that I’m healthy. I’m well. I still have dysphasia and swallowing issues, but I am dealing with them. The gem in my life was my partner Jeanne as my caretaker. She was excellent at providing me with mental and physical and emotional support. And, I think that’s very important. Yes, I went through that phase of fried eggs, soft foods in the early stages of the period after my treatment. I got to the point right to eat almost anything. I had to be careful of pieces and parts floating around in my mouth, but you will adapt to what works for you.I was on a G-tube feed for several months because I could not get enough nutrition into myself because of my swallowing problems and also because radiation and chemo does so much cellular damage that takes a lot of energy to heal. I never gained the weight back. Which is OK because I think I’m in a good stable point. I’ve been plus or minus 5 pounds from the 165 that I currently am. So focus on the bright side and do your exercise exercises. You’re swallowing and exercises your neck exercises. Because, the fibrosis caused by the radiation can cause tightening of the muscle muscles not just immediately but for years. So start the exercises and continue them on a daily basis. I failed to do that and now I’m seeing the consequences of my not continuing those exercises on a routine basis. Hang in there my friend, life is good. Make it the best for yourself you can get through this.