22 weeks ago today I started treatment. 6 weeks of RT (64.8 Gy) and 5 weeks of Carboplatin. I had the PET scan at 3 months post treatment and received the news of Complete Metabolic Response a week later.
For me Treatment was Brutal and Recovery was Torture. However, last week I went away to help a friend run a conference. I started the week eating pasta salad in my room as I was still having difficulty swallowing and felt uncomfortable eating in public. By the end of the week I was on a sneaky G&T and devouring a 3 course meal of pate with toasted brioche, braised steak on mash with braised carrots (gallons of gravy) and then sticky toffee pudding - all in the restaurant. The only downside was I lost taste suddenly whilst eating the sticky toffee. I know that is par for the course, but I was enjoying it!
Finally I rounded of the week with fish and chips and a beer; just to check my eating was not a fluke. I had planned to leave half for the next day, but oops it all went down 
For all those struggling there is hope. We may not all see the sudden change I saw last week, but even a slow and gradual change is good.
Hi Peter, as you know I'm about a week behind you.. I too have been out for meals, and dry mouth is my only issue.. I have to have plenty to drink to help with swallowing my food, so plenty of coffee with my meals otherwise i'd be hammered by the time I finished 
.. Yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it is very bright.. so if you're going through treatment atm, keep this in mind, and take each day at a time..
Loz (61)
Oropharyngeal right tongue base T2N2bM0 squamous cell carcinoma p16 positive..
Hi Peter, thank you, this is so encouraging to read. I too have become aware of how much longer I take to eat a meal when dining out with me having to take constant sips of water and chewing well ( which is a good thing). Fortunately, I don’t have a sweet tooth so I just suggest that others can go ahead and order their dessert whilst I continue to enjoy my food. I’m just happy to be able to eat normally again
.
- John
I find that warm tea or milky coffee works well as a saliva replacement when eating. Water does not seem so effective. It looks a bit crass a mouthful of food followed immediately by a swig of tea before chewing and swallowing, but needs must 
