Hi Michael. Welcome to OCF. I had two OC surgeries and after the second one I had a terrible time learning to swallow again. My speech pathologist was RELENTLESS, and I did #1 and #5 exercises every day - many times - from the day after my surgery. My situation never got to the point where the esophogus was closed (I don't think?) but I do believe the swallowing exercises made a huge difference.

You didn't say what your therapist thought of your situation? Did they think that if you did the exercises you stood a good chance of getting your swallowing back? Do you have someone at home to nag you to death to do the exercises? I remember they were not fun to do and being constantly reminded helped me.

Keep us posted.

Donna

Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)