 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | It does sound like Emmett has made some progress. Healing from this takes a very long time. It cant be rushed. Im sure it is difficult for Emmett to use his new tongue and it feels weird to him. Swelling from a serious operation can take a whole year before it finally goes away. If he doesnt stretch his mouth open wide a few times per day and do these exercises daily, he will tighten up and have bigger problems. I have trismus and its not fun! Texture plays a big part in relearning to eat again. Here is a list of easy to eat foods for the beginning eater. Hope he will try some of the things on it. Best of luck with next weeks appointment. http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=94621#Post94621
ChristineSCC 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  | 
