Hi Jaqueline,
I apologize. I did not read your first post as carefully as I should had and did not realize that you could not speak.

The technique of swallowing air and 'burping it back up' to make speech is called 'esaphageal speech' in English. It is difficult to learn even with a tongue, however I have met many people who speak it so well that you would never know they are missing a voice box. One guy even managed to retain his English accent.

I do not know if it is possible for you to make this type of speech without a tongue. Are you seeing a speech therapist? You would need a speech specialist to train you in this type of speech, especially since you have had a glossectomy. I would like to learn it for emergency situations or when my TEP becomes blocked but haven't taken the time.

Also, your speech therapist may be able to connect you to some other young people who have lost their ability to speak, but are not necessarily cancer patients. Regardless of why you can't speak, the problems of coping without the ability to comunicate verbally at your your age should be similar. What is your prognosis in this area? Do they think you will be able to learn the 'esaphageal speech'?

As to eating, I assume you are like me with a passage that goes from the mouth to the stomach with no connection to the passage that goes from the neck to the lungs and therefore there is no chance of choking. Liquids are harder to swallow than semi soft foods. There is a powder called 'Thick it' that we can buy is the US to add to liquids for people that have difficulty swallowing liquids. You might try swallowing something less liquid like yogurt or cream of wheat cereal.

Have they done a swallow test on you to see why you are having this problem? Have they given any exercises to help improve your ability to swallow? Part of the problem is when muscles are not used, including the esaphagus, they lose their ability to function properly. Your swallowing problem may also be affecting your ability to make proper speech sounds. What are your doctors/therapist doing to help your ability to eat?

You are a very brave young lady and I hope you keep your positive attitude. Have a very Happy and healthy New Year.

Take care,
Eileen