Yes, your taste buds come back. I had 33 treatments to neck and mouth. I have some dry mouth problems. I finished treatment in mid-june. My taste buds started to come back about a month later.. starting with bitter, sour and earthy things... Veggies like cauliflower, celery etc.. taste really good as do some whole grain things... Sweet and salty are coming back but not as fast... chocolate for some reason does not taste good. Seems like the taste kind of varies day to day and am never sure what is going to taste good, so so or yuk,,,, hang in there. It does come to an end and you will get through it. I was always able to taste eggs for some reason...
I escaped without tongue sores, though I think they were next. Was getting some sore spots. Skin at the base of my neck broke down right at the end. All healed up just fine.