Elizabeth brought me to my follow-up visit with Dr. Mehra today. Overall, Dr. Mehra was very positive. He said he was "thrilled" about the pathology report: tumor came out with wide clear margins and he confirmed that radiation is not necessary.

He removed the splint and saw that there is a hole in the soft palate, a highly undesirable outcome. I confirmed that water occasionally comes out my nose when I drink, a potential issue of a soft palate defect like this. Dr. Mehra says it is likely that he will need to close (stitch) the hole once all of the tissue has had more time to heal. A second surgery, if needed, will definitely require general anesthesia, although it would not be as extensive as the recent surgery. On the other hand, he said he could not promise that he would not need to do the most extensive reconstruction if this ultimately fails (skin from my wrist with vein and artery tunneled through my neck). He said he  would do whatever he needed to do to avoid that. 

Dr. Mehra admitted that this was a very painful surgery and it will be months before I feel normal again. He feels it is too early to judge whether speech and swallowing therapy will be needed. He could not predict when I would feel up to returning to work (several weeks or longer). He graduated me from an all liquid diet to a soft/puree diet. So much for a birthday and Thanksgiving celebration. Elizabeth and I both agree that Dr. Mehra seems very capable and kind.

Thank you all for being by my side through this. I will admit I feel a little discouraged but will do everything I can to take care of myself in that way too. I could not be surrounded by more loving friends and family.