I had a 50 cent piece sized tumor removed from my tongue on the lower right side. It's been two months now and my speech is still a little slurred. Will it return completely or is this as good as it will get? Also had lymph nodes removed on both sides of my neck, anyone feel like their clavicle was broken? I'm not complaining because I'm still here. I'm just curious if anyone else has these side effects.
Thanks,
Dave

Hi Dave, Jack had lymph nodes removed on one side but never felt like his clavicle was broken. If by that you mean you're having pain in the area adjacent to the surgery that could be caused by trauma to the nerves and muscles and I would let you doctor know about it. Are you having speech therapy? If you're not that may help, there are exercises that are individualized for the specific muscles involved.
Regards JoAnne

Hi JoAnne,
Thanks for the reply. My speech is probably 80-85 percent. It's getting better, but very slowly. Originally the DR. told me a month but it's been two so that's why I asked the question. Regarding my borken clavicle(that's what it feels like), the pain is right where the left drain was for my neck surgery. That's the only major effect lingering from my surgery. I would be pretty normal if not for that. But then normal is a sliding scale right now. Thanks for your response and good luck to you and Jack!
Dave

Dave,

Speech recovery varies greatly across different patients. I only had the right side neck dissection and it really affected my swallowing and speech, so I can only imagine how you feel with both sides treated. You just don't realize how many of the neck muscles are involved in speaking and swallowing until they don't work correctly. I highly recommend a speech therapist in your case.

As for the pain, ask you doctor. I did not experience any pain after the normal healing time of the surgery. Radiation? That is another story.

Take care,
Jim

Hi Dave,

I don't think it's so unusual after 2 months. Is it something that other people don't notice but you're aware of it? The pain is another story and I can't think of why it would still be present in the drain area. Is it reddened or swollen? Jack had issues with fluid collection at the drain site and when it would build up it was painful - have them check it for you.

Are you having chemo or radiation? What stage is it?

Regards JoAnne

Hi Dave;
After my surgery I had the slurred speech as well. It continually improved until I had my recurrence and had radiation and chemo. I have now been seeing a speech therapist and her "tricks" and exercises have really helped me. As others have mentioned this might be an option worth exploring. I also am still very aware of my speaking "shortcomings" but my wife tells me that I now just sound as though I have a slight lisp, so I think what JoAnne says makes a lot of sense about our own self consciousness.
I too have the intense cramps only mine is located around my right scapula. I was told that a lot of it in my case has been caused by the radiation weakening the muscles in and around my neck combined with the earlier surgery. I am being told that massages in that area help and it will continue to improve. It is something you should definitely discuss with your medical team.

Best of Luck to you,

Steve