Welcome to OCF! Glad you have found our forum to help you with your issues.

As soon as possible find a good speech pathologist. They can do wonders with helping you to regain your regular way of speaking. Most people are their own worst critics and think their speech is much worse than it is in reality.

It is rare as Paul mentioned to find HPV on the oral tongue.

Im not familiar with the procedure of placing a temporary graph on the tongue when removing a cancerous piece of it. I cant remember ever hearing anyone having this done before. Its always been either a graph is not necessary or the doc will take a free flap from the inside wrist area to use for the tongue.

Since you are a physician Im sure you are aware of the importance of having a second opinion. Im hoping you know also how important it is to be treated at one of the countrys top CCC's. Please let me know if you would like the list of CCC's.

Best wishes with your recovery!