Hi, I was just diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma and will be having a mandibulectomy with fibula free flap surgery Nov. 15. I'm 59 years old and very nervous about this. I'd like to hear from people who've been through it about their experience. Did it affect your speech, eating, swallowing etc.? What was the pain like? When do you start feeling normal again? Will I ever enjoy food again? What's it like to have your cheek and jaw reconstructed? And how does it look? Just want to hear from survivors and their families about their experience.