What a story. I totally understood how you felt at the pre-op. That talk with the anaesthetist is meant to be reassuring.

But you did it! You got through, you're home, you're talking, you're swallowing and the nodes looked good to the surgeon.

The tongue is full of nerves so any surgery to it is painful. I don't think Oxycodone is as strong as morphine although they tell you it is. You sound good, however, so keep up the good work and best wishes.

1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.