Hi all. I am Melanie, sister to Linda, who has had two oral cancer surgeries and 6 weeks of radiation. The radiation did not kill the cancer, but her salivary glands and her mouth has been so sore that she has been on tube feeing since September 03. Having had what I guess is called "resection" in her left neck and a flap brought from behind left breast, half of her tongue removed, jaw split, etc. she says she feels like a "freak." Doubts she will ever again be able to eat by mouth and wonders if she can ever speak understandably again. The cancer was at the base of her tongue. I keep sending her the link to your website and hoping she will log on and share her fears with you and get some support. I think you are all SO COURAGEOUS!! I think I might just let the cancer have its way with me -- that the "cure" is worse than the disease. Of course I'm having my own mouth checked, too. We were both smokers for 40 years and drinkers also for a number of those years.