They rebuilt his tongue with a rectus abdominal flap. This is completely non functional and just fills the space in his mouth,It will never move or taste. Surprisingly he gets a hint of taste, but not much. Maybe from his nose, though no air passes through there.
Kris has a permanent tracheostomy with his airway opening on his neck. Absolutely no danger of aspirating!
Tammy

Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!