Thank you, Vanessa. My Drs. at UWMC did a better than anticipated job on repairing me. No, Dr.s didn't remove or cut any nerves, however, the right side of my face is mostly numb & also half my tongue, so a nerve was certainly damaged or bruised. Drs. said if feeling didn't come back in a year, it wouldn't. So I've dealt with it. I've watched myself talk in the mirror to know what letters, words & expressions cause my mouth to distort the most, and try to not stress those sounds. Kind of like when your in a car singing to music & you don't want anyone to see you doing that so you don't exaggerate the sounds or words? Most people don't even notice, but I do because I remember what I looked like before. But, you know what? it's a small price to pay to still be here. Initially, I was prepared to be very disfigured because that was what several Drs., & the internet, told me. I accepted it because I wanted to survive. Dr. Futran made me feel he could get the best possible results, & when I saw the 'during surgery' photos, (which wasn't until the video was being filmed), I couldn't believe the team could even put me back together again! Try to encourage your Mom to be patient. The facial changes take place slowly over time. After she's gotten thru the shock of her surgery, & treatment & is on her way to recovery, there are some wonderful plastic surgery procedures that may help correct some of her appearance & other issues if they still exist. I did have some drooling initially, like the first 2-3 years, so, when I'd eat, I'd always have a tissue in hand to dab my right lip. I don't have that so much anymore, but am still careful to check my face. You see, I can't feel when something is dripping down that side, so checking it often is a good policy for me, wherever I am. On the brighter side, I like really spicy foods now because only half my taste buds work, you know, because of the tongue thing. So I have to be careful when I cook for others!

Just this year, because my right cheek was still sunken a lot from all the tissue removed around the tumor, I decided to have some of my fat injected into that area. Now my face is a lot more symmetrical & I feel much better. It still droops a little if I'm especially tired.

Please give your Mom a big hug for me & I will pray for her. Another thing, when your Mom has low points, try to be upbeat & compassionate but don't have a pity party. Cancer cells love emotional low points. My nurses always told me that getting thru cancer is 90% attitude & 10% treatment, & I believe it.