Hi all. I am new to the board. I am a family member of a 40 year old male who is three weeks post op. The patient lost 85% of his tongue in the surgery and the part that remains is the back 15%.

The physicians are saying that he will most likely never speak or eat again. I am looking for links to users who have had similar diagnoses who have succeeded in beating the odds. Any successful stories will go along way to providing my family member at some hope that he will regain some of speech and the ability to eat. Any ideas, potential therapies, or treatments that can be shared would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Steve, welcome to OCF. Im glad you have found this site. Im sure there will be some other members who can help you. Im very sorry that your family member has had to go thru this. Im sure it is very troubling to them.

Please tell us more about your family member so we are able to give you more assistance. Did they get a free flap? That is a piece of tissue from another part of their body. It would be used to make a new tongue. Did your family member have cancer on their tongue? Will they be getting any further treatment like radiation? Were they treated at a cancer center?

I have read posts where people have had success with speech therapists and even physical therapists can help.

Im sorry that I am not able to help you more. Im sure you will get more responses. There is always hope!

I wish I had answers to all of these questions.

I believe his tongue was rebuilt with a piece of his thigh. I believe that the cancer was on his tongue and that he was treated at a cancer facility.