Well done Terry, the surgery is now over and you have to concentrate on recovery. Learning to swallow and speak again is a slow process but each day you will go from strength to strength.
A good speech therapist will have lots of tricks to help you over these hurdles. Mine was wonderful and she gave me the confidence to actually make a speech at my son's wedding.

My first op was 16 hours and the second one 12 hours (I just want to join the 'surgery statistics club' !!!) And, as most have already said, every new day is a blessing and has to be lived to the full - of course there are days when we don't want to get out of bed and feel really poorly but considering what we have been through we are entitled to the occasional 'off day'. Be good to yourself and all good wishes from me.

hi terry

im still recovering too although its 5 weeks since my op. i tried not to push myself too hard just finding a little improvement each day was helpful but don't feel down if you feel you haven't improved one day. You have had major surgery, some people take a month to recover from a sprained wrist! Now im talking and eating again, albeit a little frustratingly. like you i have taken to watching the sunrise! must be something in that! its magical and also helps me stay positive. i've read all the books i never had time to read before and i feel enriched for that experience, stay positive!