Susan,

I know today is the big day for your sister's surgery. I am hoping she was not too scared. Perhaps it's too late to explain my appearance after surgery, but I will tell you anyway. I had a partial glossectomy and only spent one night in the hospital. Like I explained before, I had a bolster on my tongue. A bolster is a combination of gauze and plastic sewn onto my tongue. I could not talk, but could swallow and even ate two popsicles during my stay. I had air tubes in my nose, but nothing else. Of course, everyone's experience is different. I was not very swollen and didn't think my appearance was "scary". I was not in any pain because of all of the medication I was on. My pain level never went higher than a 4 or 5. Like I said, that was my experience and not everyone's is the same. I'm thinking about all of you and hoping you will find relief after the surgery is over! Take care!

Ashley