Update - The pain has subsided a good bit, but I am still experiencing a lot of nerve damage. I still have pre-cancerous cells in my tongue (they were tunneling in my nerves so the doctor couldn't get everything) and thinking back there was a good bit of nerve damage prior to my surgery as well. I didn't catch it as early as I had thought (it spread so fast!!). As a result, only the very left edge of my tongue feels normal, over a 1/3rd is the flap, and the remaining part has constant nerve tingling and radiating sensations in it. I'm progressing with my speech therapy and I have started as an adjunct professor teaching 3 classes, which will be good for my speech as well.

Sleeping is still an issue. The nerves in my left forearm where they took the flap tissue from are getting better, but I have good and bad weeks. The same goes for the swelling/drainage from my neck dissection. We took a vacation to Miami for New Year's (to celebrate my being 3 months cancer-free & my husband 4 years) and I felt so much better in the warm weather - there were times I totally forgot about my scars and the cancer (despite being in short sleeves). So I am looking forward to the summertime as not only will my healing be further along, but the warmer weather will help me as well. I've found that sleeping with my neck wrapped helps me a lot so I now try and keep my neck as warm as possible. All in all I know I got away easy and am doing my best to stay healthy to keep the cancer away, or at least be at my best possible if it does come back. Thanks for all your support!