I am new to this and will have a major (9/10 hour) operation on the 7th February, neck dissection with all the resultant shenanigans. I have been told I might be left with a permanent speech problm as the cancer is at the base of my tongue and they will graft some skin/veins etc on to the tongue to replace the cancerous tissue. Can anybody let me know exactly what I will probably sound like afterwards as this worries me greatly. I love the English language an all its clever nuances and subtleties of speech especially when alluding to matters which could be delicate as I like to think I communicate in a humourous/saucy funny manner. If I end up sounding like a lisping fuffing idiot it would distress me greatly...
John (I could have been a great singer apart from the lousy voice)

Dear John Welcome to the site and sorry to hear that you have to undergo the operation that so many of us on here have already had. If you read some of the case histories it might answer some of your questions, although in every aspect of this disease no two people seem to react in the same way. I have had more than half my tongue removed and replace with a flap from soft tissue in my forearm. Once home from hospital I had (and still have) regular visits from a speech therapist. She showed me how to swallow and, eventually, stop dribbling, exercises for tongue and mouth, also how to pronounce words that I was having difficulty with - hard "g"s i,e, wiggle, giggle etc. The main thing is that you have to be patient with yourself and able to laugh at yourself - which sounds as if you will have no problem with that! My husband would punch anyone who made fun of my voice..but he does it all the time!! Come on this site with any of your queries as you can be sure that someone will share your experiences. All good wishes for 7th Feb.

Me Dearest John, Hello and WELCOME. John I don't know if anyone of us on here can prepare you for what you are about to go thru. It is beyond words and pain. You can read my story on the wellness page on this site. The surgery is a MONSTER to start with. That is a extremely long time to have anyones mouth pried open. My surgery was 16 hours long. WOW!!!!!! I just found that out. I was told in was going to be 14, I was upset over that amount of hours. I will not lie to you John, this was without a doubt the horriblest thing I have ever been thru. I have prayed to feel better and I have prayed for GOD to take me. The pain along with the cold hard facts of this is almost to much to take. You however have all of us. I didn't find this site until several months after the surgery. I must say also I was at my last straw when I found this site. I was so lost, scared, alone, hurt, mad and every other emotion known to man. After the surgery when you wake up is the worst. You cannot move, or talk. So please remember to just stay calm. That freaked me out completely. You will need some paper and a pen to write with. Also I lost track of the days. So my husband asked the nurses to post the day and the date up for me. I mean I had no idea what day it was at all. John I would give anything if I could be there with you. I mean this. This is the biggy. This is the DADDY of them all...If you would like to chat with me..I am on aol messenger as proudokie46,,,,you can email me personally at proudokie@excite.com...I will be praying for you John that is a promise....Always Vicki Lynn

Hi John; I was told that I would not be able to speak, or lift up my right arm, but have managed both; the speach has talken some time as they removed part of the base of my tongue; I looked as though I had had a stroke, without the dribble due to the dry mouth; and due to the large hole spoke with a shooshing; impossible on the phone as my voice became high pitched and I got in a state; I have to say thanks to a girl friend who trained years ago as a speech therapist; she gave me stuff to due in front of the looking glass; now a year on, have a sideway smile and very difficult to put lipstick on, but you won't have that problem; I used to get very tired when I spoke for a bit too long; but I had a determination to prove the two speech therpists wrong; I think St Jude was on my side.Keep your pecker up !

Hello all,

My Name is Erick I will have my operation on 1/14/2005 at the UCLA HarborMedical Center. I have read as much as I can in all the forums and this one seems like the best. If anyone can give any pointers re: what is the best for Post Operation. How much time until you could use your arm (mine will be left arm) where flap was taken? How do you eat in the first 7 days?

Hello Erick, I had my operation at UCI-Irving. That was the best place. There really isn't any thing I can tell you to do before the operation. I don't know what all you are having done. The first days out of the operation you will be fed thru a I.V. port. Your arm will be sore but should be able to use it right away. I could mine tho it was sore. I couldn't and still can't raise my arm very high up. But I do execercises everyday and it has helped me a great deal. After you have the surgery come back and I will tell you how to do the exercises. They may send you to a physical therapist. I went to one but I can do most of them at home. So I stopped going and continue them at the house. It was just costing to much for me to go. I do have insurance but I have to pay everytime I go. That plus all the other Doctors, well you get the picture. So what exactly are they doing to you. Where is the cancer at in the mouth. Tell me more about it. I have had oral cancer starting with the tongue since 1989. You can read my story on this site. You have come to the right place to scream, talk, educate us and to learn some things...We welcome you and we will ALL pray for you..This is not going to be easy Erick. This is a very difficult procedure. So if you can eat,,,,,,DO IT NOW!!!!!!!! Always in my prayers,,,Vicki Lynn