I was diagnosed with stage 4 back of tounge and lymph nodes cancer in December 2019. I had been to my dentist, doctor and a dental consultant at a Hospital, London,  for 10 months, all whom called it TMJ  (Temporal Mandibular Joint) disorder. It was only after returning from a dental visit that I happened to put my finger in my mouth and felt the small growth on my tounge, that the cancer was discovered! I have since had 35 treatments of high dosage radiotherapy, two lots of chemotherapy, 1 X Sepsis, 1 heart attack, 3 stays in intensive care (during covid) and 2 boughts of pneumonia. So you could say that I have been around a bit. That said, after reading comments on here, you realise that you are lucky. I'm now 66, have two gorgeous grandchildren, and as far as I know have beaten the bars.......d! I just tried to eat jellied eels with a bit of pepper, vinegar and tabasco, no go I'm afraid. The dry mouth is a pain, being alive is not. The point is that after feeding myself through a tube, I can now enjoy a chilled beer! There is hope for one and all. Just keep smiling, and if you cannot smile then dream it. You can beat it! Thanks Carol (My wife).