How long before you master speech again

Hi, I started my cancer journey 6 weeks ago and in this time I have gone from consultation to biopsy to MRI to diagnosis to partial removal of my tongue last week. I have my CT on Monday and then on 7th I will get my results to see if it is aggressive and will I need further treatment. 

Probably happened all so fast because I have an autoimmune disease since the age of 17 (I'm 51 now) and 7 other connective tissue disorders that I have collected over time and on constant immunosuppressive medication (prednisolone and azathioprine for 34 years). So I'm not a stranger to ill health or hospital. 

But I am wondering how long it may have taken others to master the art of speaking and eating solids properly again. I only weighed a little over 7 and half stone to start and have lost 4Ibs in a week.

I am eating (was determined to just to be discharged!). Though it's a mush diet and can speak in a fashion but if I had some kind of milestone in my head I would feel like I had a goal post. I also need to return to work at some point as I feel a bit like a fraud to be honest like I'm taking liberties being on sick leave.

I haven't had the whole tongue removed so there was no need for reconstruction. 

Any ideas, obviously I realise everyone's recovery is very different and I don't know at this point if we got it all or if I'm going to need more treatment. 

Thanks :) x

  • Hello Tobiassquidgey,

    Try not to worry about being on sick leave, as it's important that you make a full recovery. I hope your scan goes ok today and hopefully any questions are being answered there. It's difficult to know for sure at this point, but it's possible to get additional support from a speech therapist or dietician. There's some information on that here and it's a good idea to discuss this with your doctor, if you haven't already.

    All the best,

    Moderator Anastasia

  • Thank you Anastasia, every day seems to be an improvement and I have started to understand which sounds I am predominantly struggling with which is 'S' and 'T' so I am learning slowly. Have read an article on Oral Cancer Survivors and how they returned to work which was helpful as I do feel my workplace is sort of putting on a little pressure for me to return but I am already protected under the 2010 Act so that is reassuring. Scan went fine and just a case of waiting for results and working through how psychologically I will feel living with the prospect it could come back. Much appreciated.