I am feeling very lucky, even though I am not thrilled about having an obturator, instead of my mouth working as it always had. I noticed a lump on the roof of my mouth about 15 years ago and asked various doctors (PCP, ENT) about it over the years, but they didn't think it was anything to be concerned with and I didn't push it. I finally had it removed and biopsied 2/13/13 and it came back as stage 4 adenocarcinoma of the minor salivary glands. Two days after diagnosis, I was seen at a major cancer center near my home. More info was gathered and I was sent to a dentist who makes obturators and to see a radiologist, speech therapist, etc. It was thought that I would most likely have radiation after surgery. I had surgery on 3/14/13 and the margins were clear on the 1st resection. The removed bone was sent for pathology and bone and nerves were clear. Since the tumor was smaller than expected and everything else was clear, it was decided that I do not need radiation. No teeth were removed, just a section of both hard and soft palates. My speech is pretty good and I sound pretty much the same as before, but my nose keeps being stuffy and I have to work harder at enunciation. I can eat pretty well, but I always LOVED to eat and don't think it will be much fun. There is slight leakage when I eat or drink, but it is very slight and I see the dentist again tomorrow and hope that it can be improved. I really didn't expect the pathology to come back as good as it did and feel guilty about having any complaint, I know that the surgery required for lots of others was more extreme and made it harder to get the obturator working optimally, but still feel a little like I just want to be like I was and not have an extra hole in my head. (I am 64 years old, never smoked, but lifestyle does not seem to be a contributing factor in my type of cancer.)

Lynn, welcome to OCF. You sound like you are very lucky to have only had to go thru surgery and not have it followed up with radiation. Best wishes with your continued recovery!