Whirlwind few weeks - 08-05-2018 12:43 AM
Hi all...
I am 35 and saw my pcp for a sore on my tongue that wasn't getting better. He referred me to an ent. They biopsied the sore but only got inflammation so the biopsy did not give any helpful information. They referred me to a facial plastic surgeon who did a partial glossectomy to remove the lesion. I was shocked when a week later (6/23/18) the results came back as squamous cell cancer of my tongue. I had zero risk factors. She linked me quickly with a head and neck oncologist. The Dr did not suspect cancer so she did not get all of it with my first surgery. I had a hemiglossectomy and neck dissection on 7/17/18. I am not exactly clear on terminology but I had 57 lymph nodes removed and nothing more. Pathology showed no cancer in my lymph nodes and clean margins in my tongue. My oncologist is following me closely but not recommending any further treatment.
I am almost 3 weeks post op. I thought at this point I would be dealing with the emotional side of this massive scar across my neck. I wasn't prepared for the tightness of my neck and the nerve pain in my jaw. The surgeon told me in advance about the nerve in my face and that I would have a crooked smile for a little bit. I naively thought I would be back to baseline by now. As I search message boards and such, I get discouraged to hear that the tightness doesnt always go away. I assume this is lympedema but I don't know for sure.
Emotionally... this was all so fast. I hadn't fully grasped having cancer and now I am cancer free. If I wasn't uncomfortable all the time it would feel like a bad dream. Any words of optimism and encouragement are appreciated. I am definitely feeling not myself...
Thanks,
Erin
I am 35 and saw my pcp for a sore on my tongue that wasn't getting better. He referred me to an ent. They biopsied the sore but only got inflammation so the biopsy did not give any helpful information. They referred me to a facial plastic surgeon who did a partial glossectomy to remove the lesion. I was shocked when a week later (6/23/18) the results came back as squamous cell cancer of my tongue. I had zero risk factors. She linked me quickly with a head and neck oncologist. The Dr did not suspect cancer so she did not get all of it with my first surgery. I had a hemiglossectomy and neck dissection on 7/17/18. I am not exactly clear on terminology but I had 57 lymph nodes removed and nothing more. Pathology showed no cancer in my lymph nodes and clean margins in my tongue. My oncologist is following me closely but not recommending any further treatment.
I am almost 3 weeks post op. I thought at this point I would be dealing with the emotional side of this massive scar across my neck. I wasn't prepared for the tightness of my neck and the nerve pain in my jaw. The surgeon told me in advance about the nerve in my face and that I would have a crooked smile for a little bit. I naively thought I would be back to baseline by now. As I search message boards and such, I get discouraged to hear that the tightness doesnt always go away. I assume this is lympedema but I don't know for sure.
Emotionally... this was all so fast. I hadn't fully grasped having cancer and now I am cancer free. If I wasn't uncomfortable all the time it would feel like a bad dream. Any words of optimism and encouragement are appreciated. I am definitely feeling not myself...
Thanks,
Erin