[quote=wendys]Please tell me, How did the whole process of eating and drinking for you go? I really love my coffee first thing in the morning and I am not looking forward to going without. I also really enjoy good food.[/quote]

My cancer was in the anterior 2/3's of the tongue also. It was lateral on the underside of my tongue and had been there 1 1/2 years before it was removed.

I've always had 1 cup of coffee in the morning and sometimes a cup in the early afternoon. I really enjoy it, but I actually didn't miss it for the first week. I think it was a couple of weeks before I had my first cup and it was lukewarm. It's actually been 6 weeks since my surgery and I still haven't had that steaming hot cup of coffee, it's almost hot but I'm getting there. LOL

My pain pills had to be crushed in applesauce at first. It tasted horrible but the morphine was giving me headaches and it was either swallow it or hurt. I kind of felt determined to just do it instead of asking for something else. Right before I left the hospital I was swallowing them.

I started out with broths, protein shakes, ensure, puddings, mashed potatoes/gravy, soups(clear, creamy or pureed) and then went to pureed foods. I was drinking water constantly too. I still use the drinking straws. It's basically all about the swallowing because you just can't chew. It was about a month before I started eating soft foods like eggs and then was pretty much back to normal. It will be a long time before I'm going to try putting anything crunchy hard in my mouth.....maybe one day. LOL

I felt like I was learning to eat all over again. Take very small bites and make sure the puree is not thick when you first try it. I usually used chicken broth to blend. Once I felt better and was back to cooking for the family, I would basically have what they were having, I would just puree it. It helped me to have some gravy on everything, it made it go down easier. It doesn't look appetizing, but it does taste good. I need to post my pot roast recipe. That was yummy pureed and I ate that for days! LOL

What made it hard was that it just plain hurts with the neck muscles moving and the swallowing, but it does get better. I lost 19 pounds and have gained 4 back since I started eating soft foods.

I hope this helps and I'm glad to see you sticking around. I've found a lot of strength I didn't have from everyone here.

Jerry,
I would love a copy of your article too!