Hi Steve, welcome to OCF. Im glad you have found this site. Im sure there will be some other members who can help you. Im very sorry that your family member has had to go thru this. Im sure it is very troubling to them.

Please tell us more about your family member so we are able to give you more assistance. Did they get a free flap? That is a piece of tissue from another part of their body. It would be used to make a new tongue. Did your family member have cancer on their tongue? Will they be getting any further treatment like radiation? Were they treated at a cancer center?

I have read posts where people have had success with speech therapists and even physical therapists can help.

Im sorry that I am not able to help you more. Im sure you will get more responses. There is always hope!

Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile