Hello everyone. This is my first post, although I have visited this website before for information.

My uncle was diagnosed with oral cancer in July of last year (2005). He has not been very forthcoming with details so I'm not entirely sure what his precise diagnosis was. (He lives in Oregon and I'm in Illinois, otherwise I'd join him on doctor trips whether he liked it or not!) I immediately found this website to arm myself with information, which both heartened and frightened me. Anyway, he went through a treatment trifecta (surgery, chemo, and radiation) and was declared cancer-free last fall. I went out to visit him in December and he seemed to be recovering nicely; his sense of taste was off and his speech was slurred due to holes left in his soft palate, but he was eating well and his spirits were great.

Unfortunately, throughout the month of January he began losing the ability to open his mouth. I was unaware of this until just last night when he phoned to let me know. I could barely understand him. He is off to meet with his doctors tomorrow and promised to let me know what they have to say. I immediately logged on here to find information about this new hitch in his condition. I have found some very helpful information on Trismus here, but I'm hoping that someone who has been through it can provide me with some more personal information. The clinical stuff is great but I'd really appreciate a more subjective account of the physical therapy and recovery from this problem.

Thanks in advance. He sounds so down right now, and I have no idea how to buoy his spirits. At least if I have more information perhaps I'll be able to help in some small way.

Diane