Hi, I am new in this forum and need some help in terms of buccul mucosa cancer. I got diagnosed with this cancer and found out it's very rare. I got biopsy done in October and done all tests that need to be done before surgery and found out I was early stage 3 cancer which doctor say they have curative plan for this. I never thought I would go through this hard time but I believe if it's written you can't avoid it regardless. Just had my surgery of 14 hours done on 8 December 2021. They removed left inside cheek and do radial forearm flap and did neck dissection as tumour was there too. I was in the hospital for two weeks and now I'm home. Thankfully I don't have much pain but still i have to take painkillers twice or thrice a day. I'm on pureed diet and lost alomst 4 kg in 2 weeks and assuming to lose more. Doctor told me for radiotherapy for 6 weeks. 
my question is this forearm flap is so thick in the mouth,  and wondering will it remain like this thick in the mouth whole my life or will it shrinks and that side of my face is swelling too. 
does anybody go through this buccul mucosa cancer treatment and would like to ask your whole journey as i need to be mentally ready so I don't lose will power. I'm 38 years old male.  And how long is recovery time after radiation and will my face have swelling permanently