Tongue And Mouth Functionability After Reconstructive Surgery

My mother had squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth and went through surgery to remove the tumour and reconstruct part of the tongue and the interior of the mouth. Her arm and thigh were used as donars for the veins, muscles and skin required. This was followed by radiation treatments.

Prior to the surgery we were told after a couple of weeks she would be able to eat normaly with new dentures. The denturist said her teeth may only be cosmetic and due to the limited mobility of her tongue she may never eat or speak normally again.

It's been 6 months and she still cannot even manage to eat yogurt or puddings because they're "too thick". We puree her food but she has to dilute everything because she can only manage to drink her food.She's loosing weight because we can't get enough calories into her.

Has anyone recovered from this state or does anyone have any tips to share with us?

Worried, Birgit2

Hi There: 

 My wife had about 1/2 of her tongue out on the 15th of July,  Her

 tongue was remade with skin from her neck.  Her limp nodes

were also removed.  She is on a feeding tube and next week she

will have a swallow test.  However,  she will be having radiation

treatment starting next Wednesday & is now taking CETUXIMAB

(Erbitux) once  a week for five weeks.   I would like to see her

staying on the feeding tube, until she completes the radiation.

Thus, she will be getting her proteins, plus other items. and

will not be losing any weight.  Much better situation then having ensure

milk shakes, etc.

 My friend Jim had approx 90% of his tongue and 4 lymph nodes removed on 8/26/08 due to stage 4 Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  Jim saw his speech/swallowing therapist 3 days ago and is now practicing speaking and swallowing daily and meeting with his therapist once a week.  Jim is still on a feeding tube and has a trach.  He will begin chemo and radiation in a few weeks.

Coincidentally, Jim has a friend who also has tongue cancer and underwent a similar surgery 3 months ago. However he only had approx 50% of his tongue removed.  He's speaking remarkably well now but he's still not able to swallow solids.

A

On 9/5/2008 The Traveler wrote:

Hi There: 

 My wife had about 1/2 of her tongue out on the 15th of July,  Her

 tongue was remade with skin from her neck.  Her limp nodes

were also removed.  She is on a feeding tube and next week she

will have a swallow test.  However,  she will be having radiation

treatment starting next Wednesday & is now taking CETUXIMAB

(Erbitux) once  a week for five weeks.   I would like to see her

staying on the feeding tube, until she completes the radiation.

Thus, she will be getting her proteins, plus other items. and

will not be losing any weight.  Much better situation then having ensure

milk shakes, etc.