Hey, folks:

I'm so happy to have found you all during this most difficult journey. My Dad is at home following a radical head/neck dissection with pec flap...I'm not sure of the staging. He was originially diagnosed with Stage I/II Squamous near his left tonsil last year. After 38 radiation treatments, he was cancer free for 3 months. Unfortunately, a new and more virulent tumor appeared virtually "next door" to the original site, and it was determined that surgery was the best option.
He had a 9 hour surgery on 8/15, and came home from the hospital on 8/30. He's currently on a PEG tube, and has a speech therapist visiting a few times per week.
My questions stem from conflicting advice given my Mom...My Dad's surgeon has given the go ahead to try and drink his nutrition through a straw, and supplement water via the PEG. His speech therapist indicates he's not ready for that yet, citing swallowing issues. Who should we listen to, and how long do most folks stay on the PEG before returning to eating whole food?
Also, my Dad is complaining of numbness in his tongue -- (I noticed a lot of you have mentioned this.) How long can he expect that to last?

Thanks to all of you for sharing your own stories with such dignity and caring.