Hi Carol,

I'm sorry to hear what your sister is going through.

I also had a partial glossectomy and neck dissection, and had some fairly hard scar tissue in my neck for a long time thereafter. Eventually (probably well over a year later), the skin started to go back to a more normal feel and the scar has become much less noticeable.

My speech also deteriorated as radiation went on. I thought my speech hadn't suffered too much after the surgery and was surprised at how much more difficult it became because of the swelling I experienced with radiation. Again, it took many months after the end of radiation for me to feel like I could make myself understood.

I hope your sister's treatment program is successful. Please stay in touch with us.

Cathy