I started this thread, so I need to report my progress. At 27 months post op, my taste buds are fairly normal. But when I burn my tongue on hot food, the pain subsides very slowly on the AN side. I still cannot tolerate anything like hot food. I have to let everything cool before I'll even sit down. Any temptation to taste it when it is hot, ends up in a painful tongue and a bad meal time.
My complaints about nose dripping have almost stopped. Two days ago I became aware that my whole upper lip was wet. I had been talking with friends for a couple of hours and my nose had wet my whole upper my lip; I felt like a fool in front of my friends. I hadn't even felt it. If my husband had been there he'd have warned me. I have no idea why I wouldn't feel the nose running so much. I never had this gross problem before AN treatment. Do radiation patients have this?
Yes, I lost about 30 pounds in the two years pre op. I've been greatful for that lesson to my metabolism. I've only gained back 4 or 5 of those pounds. I plan to keep the weight off. Carrying the same weight we had in our twenties can't hurt us, our joints, or our hearts.