Dear Harry

My Mum was diagnosed with Cancer of the Tongue in November 2002. The tumour was about 2.5cm big. In January 2003 she had nearly all her tongue removed except for a very small bit at the front. My Mum's tongue was re-built using tissue, muscle and vein from her left arm. She has had a few sessions of speech therapy and now she is able to speak quite well. She does however have a speech impediment but with each passing day her speech gets better. We can even understand what she is saying on the telephone!

The only thing my Mum is finding really frustrating at present is eating. My Mum can just about manage soft solids but it takes ages to eat anything and she is slowly getting bored with soup, yogurt, mash, gravy, icecream etc.
We have been told that it is still early days yet and the speech therapist is going to help her with swallowing skills soon, so hopefully things will get better.

Please tell your friend to try not to worry. Lots of other people on this OCF board have been through the same thing or like me are care givers to someone who has been through it and will do their best to answer questions if they can and be there for you and your friend.

Take Care


Kathleen