To Dave and Kim, Brian's message is right on. I also had a modified radical neck dissection and still do not have any feeling in that side of my neck. It will be two years on September 12th and even though I am physically healthy, I'm having a hard time recovering mentally. In fact I just admitted this past June that I was still depressed and suffering. Everyone thought I was doing so well, but I found that I was more and more internalizing my situation. Trying to make the world think that all was okay. Well it isn't. I still can get it through my thick skull that things will never be the same again. My tongue won't grow back and it will continue to hurt daily, my neck will always be numb, the scars won't go away and my tongue will forever be sewn to the bottom of my mouth. This site has in many ways been a very good outlet for me. I have admitted things openly that I would not do otherwise with my family and friends. Good luck with your surgery and you will be on the minds of all that particpate in this site. Take care and keep us posted. Anne.