Senior Member (100+ posts) Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 126 | I would recommend meeting with a speech and swallow pathologist - they will do the swallow study, but will also give you exercises to do to prevent long term complications, as well as improve your swallow function now. I am nearing 5 years out and actually had a follow-up appointment with my speech and swallow pathologist about a month back, where she did another swallow study and got me started on some more exercises again (I saw the same doctor for the first 2-3 months after treatment, which was a big help). Although I didn't even notice I was having any swallowing issues, she said she saw some "leakage" when I drink, and thinks these exercises should help greatly. I will admit though they are kind of a pain, and I've had trouble making myself actually do them (I am supposed to do these exercises 7x a day, which is difficult), but I think I am already noticing some improvements.
Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis HPV-, no risk factors T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection 30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin) 1/13/12 last day of treatment Diagnosed October 2011
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