Christine:
Hang in there, it will get better and will continue to! I was referred to a Speech Therapist who works side by side with my surgeon and she worked miracles for me. Very patient, made me work at it, but gave me some very effective exercises. It was like going to a gym and working any other muscles, at times painful, stressful, not fun, exhausting, but in the end, effective. I still do several of them a little more random than in the past but that coupled with a Biotene gum habit I stay pretty loose and function. I believe it's also helped my mobility with my tongue and definitley helped me with situating solid food and swallowing better. I still have my days for sure, but there's options and hope for improvement!
Best Wishes,
Steve