Hi Maria,

I gave up smoking over five years ago, alcohol also at the same time, this is when my leukoplakia was first discovered. It was biopsied and came back negative, then a couple of years later was lasered off and biopsied again, also negative. But the leukoplakia returned and I waited too long this time to have it looked at, so the stage one tumor was diagnosed.

I am wondering about a lot of things around the initial surgery and the followup reconstruction. Like how long in between these usually? How long will I need the feeding tube after the first surgery? Until after the reconstruction? Or will I be able to eat and swallow normal food even before the reconstruction? Will I be able to talk at all after the first surgery, before the reconstruction? How long is the recovery period for each of these surgeries? I am nervous about the reconstruction, too, since the Czech doctors sort of hinted that they weren't so good at it when they suggested I go to the UK for this (which is unfortunately not an option for me in any case, I have only Czech insurance).

So anything you can add will be helpful to me before I go for the rest of the results on Monday and then try for a second opinion at the comprehensive cancer center here.

Thanks so much!