You guys were my go- to site when I started getting serious about the sore on my tongue last autumn. OCF reminded me what Johnny Bench taught us long ago: a sore that will not heal might be cancer. Thanks for nudging me into early detection, when I still had a pre-cancer.
The support boards have been an excellent resource, too, especially for understanding how "good" cases like mine-- with early detection and comprehensive care-- can go bad.
You've given me the background to reach deep into the professional literature, yet still the patient postings have filled in some important gaps, like how much pain to expect from the surgery I just had.-- surprisingly little, for partial glossectomy and
selective neck dissection.
I feel like I owe it to the posters here to add my story. If one person can glean one nugget of information from me, it will have been time well spent.

Surgical recovery going very well.
PAIN: Negligible pain, with very tolerable doses of pain meds.
SPEECH I came out of surgery speaking intelligibly. Having family around helped me get plenty of speaking practice in. Thickness of swollen surgical area is main impediment for now. I don't sound great, but I can communicate fully.
SWALLOWING: Took first sips of water within an hour of recovery. Worked my way up to full swallows by end of day.
First meal was breakfast, day after surgery. Grits went down perfectly. Scrambled eggs scattered a little in my mouth, so I learned to take smaller bites. macaroni and cheese for lunch and dinner.
Second day after surgery, I ate chicken nuggets. No problem. Just taking smaller bites and chewing with care.
Foods that scatter or crumble in the mouth-- crackers, scrambled eggs-- are more difficult to eat, but are manageable in small bites.
Taste buds functioning fine.
- KJ

T1N0M0
4-8-14 Path report of Perineural Involvement (PNI) Case referred to Tumor Board to
determine need for radiation.
4-6-14 Partial Glossectomy, 9mm SCC, rt lateral tongue
Neck Dissection, Zone I-III 18 clean nodes ... 4 hour surgery, 2 day hospital stay
3-14 CT-Pet Scans clear
3-14 Biopsy Positive Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Right Lateral Tongue
12-13 Biopsy Mild--Moderate Dysplasia Right Lateral Tongue
11-13 Primary Care Physician referred to Oral Surgeon
10-13Tongue swollen and nicking teeth-- painful
6-13 first noticed burning sensation on side of tongue, after eatiing a favorite hot sauce

Treatment Center: University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville.
My Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeon runs the residency program here. Highly published, very active surgeon...does 150 Glossectomy/ disssections a year.