Hello all,
I am rejoining to obtain information; offer and gain support and possibly help others.

My mother is a 3 time survivor. She was first diagnosed in 2001 with a tumor on the base of her tongue and underwent radiation 2 x day 5 days a week for 12 weeks. Less than 2 years later a 2nd tumor appeared and she underwent surgery to remove it along with a partial neck dissection and removal of lymph nodes. Less than 1 year later, 2005, a reoccurrence of the initial radiated tumor came back. This time is was surgery to remove 1/3 of the tongue, the rest of the lymph nodes in the neck and tongue reconstruction with tissue from arm and graph from the thigh. Now - she is having terrible issues with Trismus.

Most of my concerns now are about support and emotional aspects of this cancer.

I look forward to being part of this wonderful group.

BIC: Hello and welcome back to OCF! THREE times! My goodness, I cannot even fathom!

As caregivers, we have been given a tremendous task, haven't we?

We'll certainly look forward to hearing more from you two...and know that y'all have our support...

Lois & Buzz

Wow! I don't know what to say...your Mom is very brave...I am having surgery Friday second primary, I made it to five years from first time in May and thought I was cured, the good news, they are telling me it is in the soft palete only, they will biopsy something else from my tongue during surgery, just hoping for the best....Tell your Mom to keep fighting!!!!! I wish her all the best....Carol

Carol, I have you on my prayer list, and on my calendar for Friday. Many people will be giving you support from all across the country. Stay in touch. Though my surgery involved the hard palate and not the soft palate, there will be some similarities. Let's talk after you know what you are dealing with. In the meantime, if you have questions or just want to talk, post here or email me. XO--COlleen

Hi there,
I am also a care giver. So my thoughts are with you. My mother has gone through 6 operations in the last 2years.She is 84yrs. But she is a fighter. Good luck and my thoughts are with you.

First, Carol I wish you the best on your surgery on Friday.

Thank you for the warm welcome. My mother is a very strong individual, I hope to have half her strength and faith someday. Considering her pure liquid diet she is in amazing health. She takes such great care of herself through nutrition - she should write a book.

I do think that my reason for joining this forum now is because I see my Mother becoming more restricted to home due to her complications. Then there is the lack of communication to the family which makes the situation much harder than it needs to be. This is what makes this road so challenging.

I found out last night that they took a biopsy of a spot in her mouth that has been soar for weeks. She had to do it with no novicane because she said the pain from the needle would hurt more than the biopsy. Of couse I had to ask 100 questions to just get this bit of information.

I guess we will see what happens, I hope it is nothing.