Hi Sandra,

I don't know how helpful this will be because Heather's partial glossectomy was totally different from what you describe. But I remember that her speech wasn't bad at all, not much worse than a lisp. Her surgery was rather extensive and she was able to speak as soon as the trach tube was taken out, about 10 or 12 days after the surgery. It doesn't sound like your surgery will be nearly as extensive, so I would think you would be talking much sooner. Hopefully, someone else will have some better info for you.

Rainbows & hugs, wink
Rosie

Was primary caregiver to my daughter Heather who had stage IV base of tongue SCC w/ primary recurrence. Original diagnosis August 21st, 2002. Primary recurrence March 18th, 2003. Died October 6th, 2003.