My cancer was in 2003 and my treatment for stage 4 tonsil cancer was chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation daily for 35 days. The leader of my tumor team of doctors told me that with the radiation if I lived long enough I would have long term side effects and he wasn't lying. His comment, "radiation the gift that keeps on giving." The dry mouth and heavy mucus was and still is constant. Then there was deterioration of jaw bone tissue which made removing molars and causing nerve damage. Eating was difficult as I could no longer chew foods so I had to go to soft foods - then to liquids. This was over time but eventually and then suddenly I began to lose weight as I couldn't get the nutrition or calories needed to sustain myself. The treatments also are responsible for a compromised immune system and I have to be careful not to get any respiratory ailment. In July of 2024 I had a G-tube inserted into my stomach and was still able to eat and drink a little by mouth. But, the main reason though for the G-tube was I had begun to aspirate and had several bouts of pneumonia needing hospitalization. As of February 2026 I am NPO (nothing by mouth). I have lost the ability to swallow. The good part about all of this is that I am still alive and since getting proper nutrition through the G-tube I am healthy and happy. Do I miss eating? Not really because I know what could happen if I do and it hasn't diminished my love of cooking and baking for others. In fact, it's one of the activities I can still enjoy. My health is probably better now than it has been for 5 years. I have difficulty gaining weight - but am holding not losing. Without the G-tube I wouldn't have been here to write this. I hope you find my story helpful. Take care.