Hi Delly,
It's really early days for your Dad. Kris needed to use a suction machine for the first 3 weeks or so. In the 4th week post surgery he had a barium test to make sure the surgical site was all healed with no leaks. Then he was allowed to start trying to swallow. He started with just a 10 ml syringe of water. He squirted this into his mouth, tipped his head back and swallowed. A Speech Therapist will help him with this. It does require lots of practice and won't happen overnight.
I also think it's too early for clear speech. He will still be very swollen inside with lots of secretions which make it near impossible to speak. Be patient. There really is no reason why he can't speak as he still has his voice box. Just let the swelling subside first.
This is all so new and recent. Dad needs time for all the oedema to resolve. The tongue flap too will be swollen at this time. Kris had hairs on his initially, but that too resolved. Reassure your Dad that all these things will get better with time. Once the swelling goes down , the secretions too will lessen. Kris needs to wash the goo out of his mouth often using fizzy drinks/soda. Other times he physically wipes it out with a tissue. Dad will get used to this and it will get better.
Tammy


Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!