I am coming up to my 4 months since the surgery to have the tumor removed on the right side of lower jaw (gum tissue). It been a rough road for me and learned to take each day as it comes. I have not been online that much, just have not felt like seating at a computer and just lay down all the time.

I have found each day things do get easier for me. I have been back to work now 3 weeks. It was going good for me to be back to work. I seem to find the energy to move forward each day and each day gets better.

I just have some worries about my speech. I sometime have a hard time saying some words. But that seems improve as the swelling going down. I am still swollen some on the right side were major part of surgery done. The left side is almost back to normal from were they moved blood supply to the right side of the mouth.

Eating is slowly coming around, I was told the end of April I could start to take in food. Then when I was in Utah staying with my family I had a swallow test done. They took me off of all food and just water. The one part that closes off to the lungs was not working. A few weeks ago I had a new swallow test and it starting to work but not all the away. They told me again to stay with water and no food.

I spoke to my doctor nurse practitioner about it, she told me that this is normal and it takes time. She told me to slowly start taken food. I been doing yogurts, breakfast drinks and soups. Over the weekend I started eating fish and it going down good. Like they keep telling me it is baby steps. I know it will take time and it getting better.

I want to say thank you for the ones on here for your support before my surgery and after. It has been a rough road and each day it gets better.

thank you
All

One thing I forgot to add, I am hoping that when I see the Doctor the end of the month he will take out the feed tube. He wants to make sure I am eating before he removes it. So far I have eaten enough food were I do not need to do my tube feedings. I hate the tube feeding and sometime it makes me sick.

good night all

I'm gonna guess that your nurse practitioner is Carol Stimson...she's got a great tattoo on her calf. It's good to hear that you are progressing, I hope things keep going smoothly for you!

Keep your chin up!

Eric

Thanks for the update. Sounds like you have made wonderful progress after the surgery. I know its a rough one to get thru with a long recovery.

Please dont rush losing the tube. My doctors are super cautious with me and tell me when I can go for 2 months without using it then it can be taken out. Im really hoping that will be soon. Its hard to get enough food in to sustain myself. Please go slow with this as you dont want to back track and have to get another one put in. I know....we all HATE the darn tube!!!!!!

Best wishes for continued improvements

Eric you are right nurse practitioner. She is a really good one and easy to talk with. I had to go in two weeks ago with some rough bone coming up. She looked at and then had one the Dr on duty come in and clip some of the bone down.

Thanks Christine, sound like you are doing good also.

Glad you're getting excellent care, especially after all you've been through. The solid food thing is tough. Took me months. Like you I had a swallow problem with the epiglottis not closing completely, had the x-ray tests, went to swallow therapy, did the exercises. It just plain takes time, for me the better part of 9 months.

I'll continue to think good thoughts about you - glad you're back at work!

David2