Hi Karen. The surgeons probably tried to leave as much of the front of the tongue as possible initially, hoping to have enough blood flow to keep it alive. It sounds like it did not take, just like mine didn't. The same thing happened with my surgery, only they removed the black, dead portion after only 4 days. As I understand it the major vascular network that supplies the tongue comes through the base & if thats where the tumor was, they have to remove enough tissue from around the tumor to get clear margins and leave no cancer cells which effectively cuts off most of the blood supply to the remaining tongue on that side. It is amazing to me that the flap gets blood supply & becomes healthy, happy, pink, soft, living tissue, but it does & hers will too! Your mom is in a tough time right now, but she'll be OK! The swelling will go down. I can imagine you are beside yourself with worry as my wife & family were also when I was going through the same thing. Be patient & let the body heal. It takes time, but will happen. While in the hospital she is surely getting good nutrition. If you take care of her when she comes home, make sure she gets good nutrition. Thats the fuel for fast healing & recovery. My thoughts are with you & your mom, Erik