Hello Lisa B

As we all know, everyone reacts differently. I feel I am very lucky with my neck dissection.

I have full movement and only slight pain. There is no feeling (numbness) on my left side of the neck and up to and including the ear.

My goetee was shaven before surgery and I did not shave post surgery for 2 weeks. I have my goetee back now but shaving was "scary" as I had no feeling and my scar was slightly raised (bump) which is now recedeing back to normal. Feeling is gradually coming back but I do not expect it to ever be as it once was.

My first shave was difficult with no feeling so I did it slow and carefully.

I called it "shaving by color", whick is like paint by number.

If all was "ok" I would keep shaving. If I saw color (blood) I new I had to ease up on the tension.

Now I call it "adventures in shaving". Just something to amuse myself as I deal with my "new normals.

I drool a lot and at first it was upsetting. But after reading so many dry mouth stories I thank God that I still have the ability to drool.

Now, about my teeth (or no teeth). I'm trying to think of a "positive " for that.

So far I have found that It's easier to say no to door to door food sales people.

I still buy girls scout cookis to give away. How could I ever say no to that!

Shaving by color in So. Florida. Petey wink

PS: Iwas going to send the thread "Massage technique tips" but I see you have read it already.

DX 3-21-07 L tongue,SCC Stage IV (T3N2MO) TX Slash/Burn/Poison Method.
***Rapid Aggressive Recurrence 8-4-07 with same DX/TX. Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh. Never Give Up! ****UPDATE**** Our dear friend Petey passed away, RIP 9-2-07