I'm going in for my 3rd surgery on monday. I thought my second surgery was going to be good enough but unfortunately my margins weren't clear of cancer. This time they're going to do a 1/2 glossectomy with a skin flap coming from my left forearm and attatching that to my tongue for reconstruction. To cover that flap on my forearm they'll take a skin graph from my thigh and put it on my wrist. They're also going to take the rest of my lymph nodes out of the left side of my neck since they found cancerous nodes on that side. Because of the severity of swelling I'm getting a feeding tube and a tracheotomy temporarily. I'll need the feeding tube however for a time being b/c I'll be starting chemo/radiation shortly after. I have no doubt that with the support of family and friends plus the great medical care I'm recieving that I'll be cancer free for years to come. I was a collegiate swimmer and now am currently serving in the military. Staying physically fit is a way of life for me. I've already decided that once this over I will do an Iron Man. However, going into the treatment is rather scary and I would love any advise from people that have been through it already or currently going through it.

Hi Martine,
While i can't give you any advice seeing as I am just beginning to battle this horrible disease with my mom (stage 4 scc) I will offer my best wishes.

Good luck with your final surgery. You have a fantastic attitude and I'm sure it will help.

I'll keep you in my prayers.

Jackie

Hi Martine,

My husband also had stage 4 BOT cancer. He did not have surgery. He did have chemo/rad and that was completed this past Monday.

What was done during your first two surgeries?

An Iron Man is a great goal! I second Jackie in applauding you for the fantastic attitude.

What kind of questions do you have?

Hi Martine

welcome to our second military member in the last few weeks.Your attitude sounds as determined and positive as our friend bob who looks on his fight against cancer as a war .Its a great analagy and i hope you too will be successful in your campaign

Martine,

Welcome and I'll pray that you do well on Monday. I am active duty military too, E8 USAF. And many times I have raved about Tricare and our Drs. I was treated at Wilford Hall in San Antonio TX. And am cancer free today because of their skills and support of my family and the Air Force. As you can see from my signature I had some of the same treatments you are going to have.

After you start the radiation (RT) and chemo (CT) things will seem OK at first but then they will get tough, keep in mind everyone is different. I lost taste after 2 weeks of RT, then got sores, dry mouth, nausea etc...things got real bad around week 5. Around 3 weeks post treatment things started to turn better. I had a PEG too and used it mainly for my meds and a little liquid food. But someone that wants to be an iron man will get through it. And since your in great shape that will help a lot too.

There are numerous posts about the effects RT/CT, I suggest you hit one of the searches at the bottom. There was a very detailed post about the treatment side effects from a a member named DavidCPA, if I can find it I'll put it on here.

It's best if you just ask your specific questions and you will be amzed at the support you will get here. I've also been through the militaries MEB/PEB process so if you have questions about that too, I can let you know what my experiences were.

Take care and you are in my prayers.

Tim

The link below is from a post by davidcpa, I thought it was one of the better ones on what to expect.

Tim


http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/ubb/get_topic/f/2/t/000850.html#000012

Martine
Read Lance Armstrongs book, I started it on my 1st chemo. I could not put it down. Don,t let anything get in the way of your goals, including Cancer. From the start just keep saying you will whip this. It is not and easy recovery, but nobody said anything is easy. My wife just had her 5 year from breast cancer yesterday. Stay positive.

Martine, one more Stage 4, 5 years ago, here. Two things will work in your favor: 1, you are in great physical shape; and 2, you have a positive, can-do attitude. Both make a whale of difference when things start to get ugly about week 5. I had both and it was much easier for me than many of the patients I saw every day. Just remember this is a small part of your life and it WILL be over. And while you are going through it, there will always be someone here who can answer any question you may have. The OCF provides one heck of a cyber support group!

Hello Martine

We will all walk with you through this journey.

Stay the course and this shall be overcome. You have a positive attitude to defeat this, and you will.

Do not hesitate to post any and all questions you have and you will recieve great information & support from the OCF.

Many here are praying for you tonight. Petey

Everybody, thanks for the advice and encouraging words. I already bought Lance's book and look forward to reading it. Those that have had a hemiglossectomy how are you coming along? Is your speech ok and are you able to eat alright? I'm doing the forearm skin flap reconstruction. My surgery is tomorrow and I can't wait to wake up from it and be moving forward!

Hi
I had stage 3 tongue cancer on the right side I had a selective neck dissection after treatment because the petscan showed some cancer still on the lymphnod I had 23 lymphnods removed. I hope you get a peg tube you will need it. Treatment wears you out radiation really screws you up. I love to excersise I am still recouping and my treatment ended last october. I am having swallowing problems and I am still on the peg tube so I cannot go swimming I have to bring my weight up. Did you drink or smoke? This is no walk in the park. Good luck I will be praying for you.
katrina

Hi,
I just want to wish you all the very best for a smooth and successful surgery today. I had a similar op last December ( I was 36)and although not always easy, recovery from the op was much quicker than I'd thought and feared. I have still got the rather lovely puffy chin thing going on, but the arm is fine, the leg scar barely visible and the PEG feeding tube (a good thing to have) now long gone. The op, chemo and radiotherapy have meant that it has been a tough year, but 'doable'.
I wish you every good wish and look forward to hearing about your recovery:)
Georgia

Martine,

I had the same proceedures about 2 years ago, 2 weeks after competing in a sprint triathlon. The surgery, radiation and chemo weren't fun, but if I can come back to compete again you can, too. My speech and eating are fine, by the way, with no therapy needed. I have the expected dry mouth and taste problems, but that's it. When you're up to it, feel free to ask any questions. Good luck!