| | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 27 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | OP  Contributing Member (25+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 27 | I was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 SCC on my left tongue, I don't think it qualifies as BOT as I can see it if I pull my tongue out (even though it's towards the back). So, I believe this qualifies as oral tongue. I'm still new here and coming up with questions to ask my doctor, so I apologize if I'm not using some of the correct terminology just yet.
My main concern about getting through all of this is my ability to speak normally afterwards. I depend on my ability to speak for a living, delivering presentations, training sessions, speaking with clients, etc.
My doctor plans to remove 1/3 of my tongue, and thinks I'll be able to return to work in 6 weeks or less.
I was curious to see other's experiences with a similar level of tongue removal. To me, 6 weeks seems kind of short if I need to go to speech therapy, etc.
So, my questions are:
1. How long in your experience did it take to speak to the point where people could consistently understand you?
2. Does the speech ever return to normal?
3. What exactly is involved in speech therapy...I hear a lot of references to it but nothing specific. Is it something you can only do with a specialist, or can you also do exercises at home to help?
4. How do people react to you if you do talk with a permanent lisp?
Thanks,
Gina
Female, age 35
SCC Stage IV, left oral tongue, 2.8 cm
T2N2bM0, HPV+, Former Smoker
Dx 12/31/12
1/23/13: Hemiglossectomy (1/3 of tongue) & SND
Cancer found in 4 lymph nodes, 1 with ECE post surgery
1 tx Cisplatin, 30x iMRT (6 wks)
TX ended 4/15/13
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Gina, most people are their own worst enemies. Everyone thinks their speech is worse than it really is.
To help you recover and get back to speaking normally again find an experienced speech pathologist. Make sure they have treated several others who have had a glossectomy.
I have no teeth at all and my speech is very clear. By having a job where my speech needed to be perfect, it helped me tremendously with adjusting to talking without having teeth. I know this is different than your situation with having a partial glossectomy. Im sure you will be able to overcome this and regain your speech clarity.
Best wishes!!!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 131 "OCF across the pond" Senior Member (100+ posts) | | "OCF across the pond" Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 131 | Hi
You don't know how much you will be affected. I was told I would have poor speech and had a speech therapist. In the end I didn't need it my voice just sounds slightly nasal, and I lisp very slightly but I think I notice it more than other people.
Wait and see what you ma need but it probably won't be as bad as you think
Take care
Jayne
Scc nasal cavity /hard palate
Surgery removal of septum and roof of mouth 15/3/11 cl margins
Rt and cisplatin 6 weeks starting 24/5/11
Obturator
Age 45
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