Hi Doreen and Lee,

In July 2003 I had a total glossectomy, right/left neck dissection, trach, and peg tube surgery (no larynx involvement). After 8 1/2 months I was able to have the trach and feeding tube removed which was a BIG milestone! Today I am able to eat just about anything I want (rare steak, chicken, pasta, seafood, veggies, etc.) except for most if not all bread-type foods including the "good stuff" (cookies, chips, crackers!). For the most part I've found that if I can pickup the food up with my small fork, then I can eat it. Needless to say mealtime consists of hugh amounts of water needed to help move it along and wash it down, but hey, I hear water is good for you, too!! I must say that eating is not as enjoyable as it use to be (sense of taste is very limited) and does require a lot of concentration and determination, BUT it can be done! And occasionally the food does get hung up in my throat but nothing that a cough and spitting food out can't solve (sorry to sound gross). Anyway, hang in there, Lee. By the way with the help of a speech therapist and using a palatal drop mouth prosthesis, my speech is pretty darn good.

I hope this helps as far as some encouragement that you'll be able to eat again.

Hugs, Nancy