Thanks to all of you for such quick and sensitive responses. I too have gone overboard with buying the scarfs (which I never wear) and the turtlenecks (which are too hot for Georgia weather). I don't think the scar itself bothers me as much as all the swelling and hardness around the scar from what they say is lymph fluid. I have been told that what i am left with after one year from surgery and rad is what I'll be stuck with. My 1 year aniversary is right around the corner so I guess I'm getting antsy.

My voice I can live with too, but pronouncing certain sounds with no teeth becomes a problem. I have started to wear my top dentures, which improves my pronounciation abilities, but the loss of my bottom teeth and tounge tip creates language that sounds like someone who has gotten her tounge frozen to the freezer wall with brand new false teeth! Another dilema I found was eating with my dentures in is impossible. The dentures cover my feelings in the top of my mouth so I can not feel where the food is because the rest of my mouth is numb. I find that any food I have will just lay on the roof of my mouth. Well, thanks to your encouragement, I won't give up. I'll keep on hanging in there and practicing.

Speaking of steroids, while half way through my radiation, I was about to give up the battle and go home. The Dr. gave me some oral steroids that turned me into Wonder Woman. Has any one else experienced these "happy pills"? I have tried them again but they never gave me the same results.

Thanks again Yall Your support and encouragement is like sunshine on a dark day. Lorraine