I know that following my first extensive surgery and treatments I found it really difficult to drink any water not only from a cup but also through a straw. Having so much of my tongue removed that plays such a major part of movings things around my mouth I know how frustrating it is and how deflated it made me feel. I tried to sip and drink all sorts of different things and I found that I can drink a milk shake easier than I can drink water.

I mentioned this to my speech therapist who told me that that would be because water is a 'loose fluid' and because things like milkshakes are thicker I have more control over them in my mouth. On reflection that made so much sense - water just goes all around my mouth, I can't taste it or hardly feel it therefore I have hardly any control over it where as things like shakes I can feel and can control so much more.

It can be a very long slow process, even now I still have the same result with water as I did all those months ago.

Hope this helps a little

Karen