Hi there,

After lurking these forums for the past 2 months, I decided to take the time to sign up and share some of the experiences my wife and I have gone through during her fight against Stage IV (T4aN2bMx)cancer of the tongue.

My wife is currently 33 years old with no risk-factors at all, and was diagnosed with the cancer when she was 31 weeks pregnant.

She had an induced birth at 36 weeks in which she delivered a healthy baby boy (3.06 kg at birth - thank the Lord!) and exactly a week later, went into theatre to receive her surgery which consisted of 3/4 glossectomy, neck dissection 1-5 (left hand side), trachaestomy, esophagoscopy and reconstruction of her tongue using her muscle from the left leg.

Miraculously, she had the trachy out within 4 days of the operation in which she started speaking straight away (80% speech function) and a few days later, she was able to swallow food and eat by herself.

Within 10 days, we were discharged from the hospital and she is currently able to walk, eat, talk almost at 90% pre-op levels and she is now getting some much needed time with our little bubs!

We were also referred to a specialised cancer treatment centre (Peter Mac) where we just received our treatment plan (expected to start 22nd of October) that will consist of 6.5 weeks of radiotherapy + Chemotherapy (Cisplatin).

As you can tell from the situation above, it has been a pretty life changing 7 weeks where we have experienced major highs, and lows all in one mixed basket.

However, through this ordeal, we have experienced much joy & have much to thank with her speedy recovery and the support + love we have been blessed with by our family & friends.

Why I am writing this here I do not quite understand, and I know there is a long way to go yet but I feel that this information somehow will help others 'lurking' these forums looking for information, inspiration & hope.

We will make sure to continue on updating this story with the rest of the members on these forums and I wish everyone all of God's blessing in their fight against this dreaded disease.