I had 20% of the tongue removed and the back part of the resection wasn't closed (to allow for less speech and eating impairment)- just light cautery and I was eating pudding and pureed foods on day 4 in the hospital (the first day I was allowed to have anything by mouth!). They wanted me eating that before going home. I ate lots of ice cream - although let it melt a little - b/c super cold - it hurt when it touched sensitive places in my mouth where they removed something. Drank lots of ensure and broths for several days. I think I managed a few noodles of macaroni and cheese within a week - but it wasn't chewing - more like just letting things slide down. Anything mussy like that or really small - but I had to take REALLY small bites or I would get a little choked up. My tongue was pretty swollen and didn't really work well for a while afterwards. I forget how long exactly it was until I could really chew most everything. I had to adjust to chewing on the opposite side of my mouth though - as my dominant side was what they cut off and I still have to use the opposite side and most likely always will.

I also didn't have the radiation - so not sure about that. I'd expect that you'll be able to at least manage liquid or semi liquid foods the whole time during radiation if you can manage the pain associated with it. I think everyone on here has had a different reaction to the radiation.

My taste wasn't affected b/c your taste buds are in certain areas on your tonuge - and both sides have the same taste buds - so she'll still have those tastes on the other side. Do a google search and you can probably find a "taste bud map" to tell you where you taste sweet, salty bitter, etc... I can't taste anything on the cut side now however - nor can I feel anything due to the nerves being cut / removed.

I also had a neck dissection on both sides of my neck and didn't have much issue with that - but remember that when chewing - I could feel that "Pull" a little. Not sure how else to describe it. It wasn't painful or anything like that - just felt a little funny from the muscles pulling when chewing.

Hope that helps.