Hey everyone,

I had to update my signature again. I have had a copy of these pathology results for awhile but I dont really understand how you all do the abbreviations exactly. Also, some things I read on the Path report didnt match what we had been told by the doctors.


For example, I wasnt aware until speaking to the doctor last week that they have removed (at least part of) the floor of his mouth.

After his radiation, chemo, side effects were all finished, we finally were able to see the speech therapist. He had more movement in his tongue (the part that is left) but I was wondering why the flap seemed to still be tethered to the floor of the mouth and whether that would change. So now, I have been informed that the flap is part of the floor or his mouth and so it will remain attached and nothing else can be done. (?) When I asked if there is a possibility of some type of dentures; implants, ect., the answer I got was that "dentures wont really help if he isnt able to maneuver food in his mouth". Smh. I'm trying to remain hopeful but that certainly didnt help.

So, we originally were told that his long term problem would be swallowing. He has done well swallowing liquids all along. The actual problem is he has absolutely NO way to maneuver the food once it is in his mouth. (I'm not sure if it matters but I tried changing the title of this post from "problems swallowing" to "problems eating "as well as updating the signature.) He has been able to eat pureed soup and pudding. And I had noticed that everything else he has tried gave him trouble by getting stuck to the roof of his mouth, such as cheesecake and mashed potatoes and gravy. I kept thinking that surely they would be able to release that flap or something but I guess not.

Anyway, I've been trying to read, research, find some tips to help him with eating, (maneuvering food in his mouth) without much luck. I did run across something about dentures with a prosthesis. Not sure if that is an option but please let me know if anyone knows about these or has any other tips.

Hope you all are doing well

Thanks,

Pam


Significant Other diagnosed in May: SCC Right Lateral Tongue , Right Floor of Mouth. Surgery July 30, 2019: Subtotal Glossectomy. Right Mandibulectomy, Extraction of All lower teeth. Removal of Right Lymph nodes; SCC in 4 of 23 Lymph Nodes, Reconstruction using tissue and bone from forearm and tissue from thigh.
Former smoker: 30 years and family h/o Cancer
Radiation began 9/6/19 and chemo 9/11/19.
Finished treatment in October 2019.
Awaiting CT Scan.