Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | To add to tinks post... its best to have someone there with you as much as possible. If you can have a few friends/relatives take shifts you can have someone with you all the time. Ive spent more than my share of time in the hospital and have found staff isnt always as attentive when the patient is unable to communicate. This is why if possible have people stay with you to not only your voice but also your advocate. Take a dry erase board, cell/tablet to text with. Theres an app called Speak It that will say what you type. I had a close friend who lost her ability to speak from OC, she used this all the time. It was especially helpful when she had to make phone calls. Your situation is different, your ability to speak clearly will happen as you recover. Getting a speach therapist involved will be a huge help with learning how to maneuver your newly shaped mouth.
Best wishes!!! ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive |