 Platinum Member (300+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 493 | Hi, Matt,
I completed my chemo and radiation in August of 2009, and my speech still isn't back to where it was before I was diagnosed. It is particularly sloppy when I am tired or when I first get up in the morning. I think it is the lack of saliva. I especially have problems talking on the phone, it's almost as if I have a lisp. For the most part, however, people can understand me without any problems. I am a library director and I have been able to present progams and to read to children without too many problems as long as a keep my trusty water bottle beside me.
Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.
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