Hi Neha,

I had a total glossectomy and can fully understand the difficulties in speaking and swallowing big time BUT it can be done! I just celebrated 1 year since end of treatment and can say that my speech is pretty damn good! Yes, certain consonants / sounds are harder to form or understand but compared to where I was a year ago, I've come a long way. I do have a palatal drop mouth prosthesis which helps my speech tremendously and I also saw a speech therapist weekly for about 4 months. I had a peg tube for 8 1/2 months and once it was removed I was determined to exist on more than a liquid diet if possible. Today I find that, with the help of a LOT of water, I am able to consume just about anything I set my mind to - steak, chicken, seafood, pasta, veggies, etc. - but still have trouble with bread-type foods (bagels, muffins, bread, etc.). Anyway, tell your dad to hang in there and be patient which is sometimes the hardest part of the recovery process.

Take care, Nancy


Stage IV oral cancer (tongue), T3N2, total glossectomy with right and left modified neck dissection 7/03, rad /chemo ended 11/03