My Dad had an op for mouth cancer on 17/12/07 and a subsequent one on 19th for henatoma. He was in icu until 1/1/08 because of heart and pneumonia problems but had his trachy out 1/1 and back in over night finally out 2/1. He has tried sips of water but is still aspirating and although still in hospital with a nose feed tube they are talking about a PEG next week When he asked how long for they said it could be a few days, a few weeks or forever. How long is a realistic time please given his op was under his tongue, he still has tongue left and has a flap?
I know it's hard to say but has anyone aspirated for longer than expected but still ended up being able to eat.
Thanks
Angela
ps i have written a diary but only just found this site so may write it up here if Dad agrees.

hi angela
welcome to our forum.you will find lots of answers to your questions on here . it can be very frightning having mouth surgery and also for the carers and loved ones but we are all here to support each other and have been in many of the situations. i hope that your father is begining to feel a little bit better it is a long road to recovery. the ng feeding tube can be quite uncomfortable i had one for two weeks and found it one of the hardest parts of the surgery the medics will explain all about the peg tube to you and i am sure you will receive many replies on here
best wishes bev

Hi Angela,
I've had a peg since October 2006. At first I was not allowed any liquid or food orally for weeks and then gradually began introducing liquid. The amount of times I choked or had the liquid running out my nostrils are too numerous to count. It takes alot of practice and perseverence to get it right.
I am now eating lots of different things. The key is to take it easy and experiment. It can be really frustrating but take time.
I still use the peg as a supplementary way of getting nourishment. Some days I still find it difficult to eat and need the extra boost to keep me going, perhaps one week I might use it for four days and the next not at all and yes I still choke sometimes and end up with whatever is in my mouth coming down my nose!!!! Great party trick, ha ha.
Let your dad take it at his own pace, he'll get the hang of it.
SusieR

Thanks ever so much for the rapid and interesting responses, I am grateful to hear that one should never give up on being able to eat again. Dad had his PEG fitted today so he already had it in when we visited, I thought it would be next week. They are running it with water tonight then food tomorrow. His nose tube has gone now so I can tell what he's saying a little better.
Thank you for the warm welcome and I'll write more soon
Angela

Hi Angela,
Your dad will get on much better now. The nasal tubes are a dose!
There are so many of us here who can say - "Been there, done that, worn the PJ's got the peg"!! -
Any time you or your dad have a question just ask. There is usualy someone who can point you in the right direction and of course we would just like to hear from you too.
Say Hi to your dad and tell him he'll never be alone in his progress to get better.
Regards
Susie

Hi Susie,
Thank you so much for your reply again. I told my Dad about this site yesterday and specifically about your experiences. He is a bit of a joker and appreciated your party trick reference.
He will be going to Christies hopefully this week to be fitted with his radiotherapy mask and I am going on tuesday out of visiting hours as he's having pump training for his PEG.
My diary is currently on paper but I am going to type it as a blog and when he's up to reading it hopefully make it public like so many kind people here.
I wish we had found this site while he was at home to see for himself, it is full of hope.
Thank you again and doubtless speak soon:-)
Take care and i hope your improvement continues
Angela