Mary, welcome to OCF! I am terribly sorry I missed your original post. It was in the middle of another members thread which is why t was missed. Ive fixed you all up now and have both your posts together in the best place for first posts. Now your posts will get some attention.

What you are describing is a major surgery! It will take your mother a full year to recover from something so invasive. There arent very many members who have had this extensive of a procedure. Mostly the members here have had partial or even total glossectomies for SCC of the tongue or base of tongue. Ive had had of my lower jaw removed so I can relate somewhat to what your mother is experiencing.

Since she is now in the midst of her radiation treatments, I would suggest you help her to focus on what is within her control... her intake. Does she have a feeding tube? Is she able to take anything by mouth?

Every single day she should be taking in at least 2500 calories and 48oz of water. More is even better. These are the bare minimums a patient needs while going thru treatments and for at least the first year of recovery. By ensuring your mother takes in these minimums will help her to have a much easier time. If water intake is difficult, ask the doc for a prescription to get her hydrated a few times per week at the chemo lab. Water intake is essential especially if getting chemo to flush it out of her kidneys.

Best wishes to both you and your mother. Again, Im very sorry your initial post was not answered!!! Thats very rare that any post is missed around here.