Sandy

If I were you I would go to John Hopkins or another cancer center for that second opinion. It just doesn't hurt to get more than one view on things before you start treatment.

As for your question about eating, swallowing and talking - I have a free flap that was made from my pectoral muscle. It is sewn down to the floor of my mouth. It does not move around like a tongue would. I swallow pretty well and I am now working on swallowing things with lumps like oatmeal with the hope of being able to add a lot of things to my diet in the future like pasta, soups that are not creamed and such. I talk fairly well. There are some letters that you can not form very well without a tongue, like "G" (this is a drag since my last name starts with a G). I also have trouble with some "s" words and "sh" words. I am able to communicate fairly well as long as the person on the other end is listening and patient. Some days are better than others. Right after my surgery I was the perfect woman - I really could not talk at all.

I hope this answers some of your questions. Make sure that you get all the information that you feel you need before you make a decision on treatment/surgery. Take Care

Patty