The unknown: it's hard to think of how life could be without a tongue. * suppose no talk * breathing? * eating via GTube? * cleanliness of mouth? * teeth? * mouth at-rest * seems suction is a "natural" at-rest; no suction? The mind considering / *pulling* towards suicide is in itself frightening and astoundingly painfully saddening.
Finished 1st new chemo round early yesterday and doc said appointment in 2 weeks; Yikes, I'm not eating and confused with various mouth sorenesses and pain. How do I survive the 2 weeks and if there is still pain, how much does that point to surgery or just stopping all this. Clearly, I'm frightened - anxious - trying to predict.
Thanks everyone, sorry for the negativity.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma base of tongue Erbitux 12 wks IMRT Radiation ended 8/7/12 MRI Cancer live 10/3/12 3 rounds Chemo (Cisplatin, 5FU, ??) Brachytherapy 7days ended 1/28/13 PET SCAN 4/19/13 70 yr old 8/20/12 Walt
