Hi, I am a 49 yr old who just recently was dx withh SCC at base of right side of tongue.Never smoked or drank alcohol. All in the last 6 wks, had a nonhealing kanker sore on side of tongue, dentist sent me to oral surgeon who said it was a keratosis, he excised it and sent it for pathology which came back as well differentiated SCC. Went to ENT who scheduled me for surgery the next week. Last Wed had a partial glossectomy on the right side. Had hard first few post op days, ended up in hospital for fluid and pain issues. Stopped all narcotics 3 days ago due to stomach issues. Controling pain with Tylenol and Ibuprofen. I was wondering if I will ever be able to chew right. Everytime I try to eat something with more than a pudding consistency,I feel like it gets stuck in my teeth and I cant clear it with my tongue. I am so frustrated. I go back for my followup tomorrow afternoon. And I feel like my tongue is always in the way. Is this normal post op?

Hi there .. Been there... Totally know the feeling, except it's my left side! First off, pudding, mashed potatoes, easy on the mouth but very messy and hard to control! I used to take semi solids - like an omelet, soft - easy to chew and manipulate, cut it in small pieces and put into your mouth on your unaffected side. Put it toward the back - chew and try to swallow, if it's hard, use some water to wash it down. I know a soft diet is what they recommend but the people who design these diets post op have never actually had to try and eat with part of their tongue missing. small pieces of baked potato (very small ) believe it or not it's easier to eat! It's all about location, location, location, use your unaffected side, and take your time, rushing through a meal is hard. Also your tongue is still swollen and healing, you will be able to eat normally at some point but it takes time. You're only 8 days post op so be patient. And good luck!
I'm at the point now where I can eat a few bites without having to gulp water. I was doing much better post op, within a few weeks, but the radiation I had caused swelling so here I am, working my way back to that place. take care.

Hi DJM,

I'm 2 years out without any Radiation or Chemo. I have no trouble eating, BUT everything gets stuck in my teeth. I have no feeling that food is stuck. After I eat I go to the restroom and look at my teeth, this sounds gross, pick it out. I never knew food was in between my teeth until someone told me, how emabarassing. I can't eat rice any more no taste for some reason and it sure does get stuck every where. I guess this is a way of life.

Connie

At this time your mouth and tongue are probably swollen. This would make eating difficult to do. Give it time and Im sure you will adapt and go back to normal again. If after a few weeks you are still struggling, see a dietitian or speech therapist. Best wishes with your continued healing.

Thankyou all for the advice and ideals. I am eating better, but my tongue still feels foreign on that side and very sensitive. I know it takes time and is still healing.

Hey there glad your eating okay. All this takes a while - i dont know that your tongue will ever not feel different - however humans are very adaptive and eventually we just get used to things and it becomes normal... I can tell you I can feel my new tongue - that maybe kudos to the very talented reconstruction plastics guy - but it feels like a bee sting if I bite it accidentally ! I was told by a different dr. A surgical oncologist ( my rads guy wasn't avail he day I had an appointment with him- so I saw this guy - he is a collegue of my SO - he sai- if a feather lands on your arm you may not feel it but if it lands on your tongue you will one is way more sensitive than the other - the new area will eventually re generate nerves and will become as sensitive as your original tongue - nothe arm where it came from... I don't know if this is true or if he is right - but I'm hopeful! Good luck... And heal well!