Hi,
My mom is telling me that she has what feels like a frozen tongue. She can't really explain it to me, but asked me to ask if anyone here ever experienced this. Thanks.

Donna,
Is she saying it is on both sides or just one?
Is she still able to move her tongue?
It is a rare complication during all types of mouth surgery even tooth extractions, especially lower wisdom teeth, to cause damage to the lingual nerve. This can result in a temporary or even permanent loss of sensation to the tongue on the side where the nerve was damaged.
If the nerve was only traumatized or bruised it can and most likely will return to normal over a period of time. If the nerve was severed or nicked during surgery it is likely that her sensation may never return to normal but, may only be partially restored.
Pressure from swollen and healing tissues can also lead to a temporary loss of sensation to the tongue which usually returms to normal after healing is complete.

Talk to her Dr.'s.

I hope this is useful.

Cheers,

Mike

Thanks Mike-very helpful.

Jerry--
You saw mom the other day, the spot in front where she showed you her stitch? do you think it is ok? >>> Mike, the one doc knicked her tongue at the tip front left off the center.

The other thing she showed me today is that she thinks her upper gum and lip have fused together. I don't know what to think about what I saw, quite frankly, I'm lost.
As always, Thanks!

Donna,
If the tip of the tongue was knicked it should probably return to normal after healing completes. Nerves do not heal the same way skin and muscle do so this may take a couple of months.
The gum and lip fusing together is quite often a common complaint after mouth surgery of any type. Incision lines in the mouth are usually below the gums but, often times the tissue is sutured to the attached gum tissue because it is fixed and stable. The feeling of lip or cheek attached to gums usually goes away after healing when the tissues are in normal function.
How much lip has been sutured to the gum tissue depends on the surgical borders.

My thoughts and prayers are with you Donna, and Rose.

Cheers,

Mike

Hi Mike,
I don't think the RO put any sutures in her mouth other than the tip where he knicked her. I could be very wrong here, never fully comprehending what brachytherapy entailed. I know that he inserted 7 catheters into her tongue, which meant 14 piercings. The area which she is concerned about is the left side, same side all this took place.
What you sent above really is helpful to me, the more I think about her mouth, the more it sinks in. Thank you.
Donna

Donna,

I really didn't get too good a look, but what I saw of the tip of her tongue looked like healing tissue that looked healthy.

I think you'll be able to get more answers from the doc when you see him. I know how much you need to know things right away, but it's difficult to see what was done when you really can't get a good look at things.

Hope you got the trach removal appointment moved up.

Jerry

Hi Jerry,
I'll email you. Thanks