Well, surgery went differently than planned. The good news was the tumor was much less invasive than thought, less than 1 cm deep! So they made the decision to NOT do the selective neck dissection, due to the smaller tumor. It does make me nervous being that the doctors said a selective neck would reduce my chance of cancer coming back.

I am now just recovering. Eating LOTS of soup! Nothing quite tastes the same, I am surprised at the random pain i have. Jaw hurts (i notice I clench me teeth a lot), teeth hurt, tongue doesn't hurt as much as it tingles all the time. And of course I talk really funny, I have an especially hard time saying sounds with d, s, t, th. I have to think really hard before saying any sounds. Thanks for all the support! Can't wait to hear the doc say next week that I am cancer free.

Lori, that's great news. Lucky you. I think your Drs are thinking of you and your quality of life. Neck dissections really do impact on the shoulder and neck muscles. Why inflict that on you when it is not necessary?
Many people have unnecessary neck dissections and proudly proclaim that all nodes were negative for cancer - then live with the consequences of the neck dissection. If you do not have any nodes on your scan what is there to remove?
Be reassured. You may like to see a Speech Language Therapist to help you with the speech issues. I'm sure all be resolved in a matter of time.
Tammy

Lori, great news! Don't worry about the speech and taste, it will come back. The speech is mostly due to the swelling, which takes a while to come down. I would highly recommend speech therapy. I found it very helpful.

My tongue still tingles, but I'm so used to it, that I don't really notice.

I was always a grinder as well, but it did get worse. You can get a plastic splint that you soften in hot water to mold to your teeth to help that.

Good luck next week!

Thanks everyone. I am beyond grateful that the recovery is much easier now that I didn't have the neck dissection. It's so hard not to be on edge, but I am learning to appreciate everything! Thanks for the support.

Lori, you are probably HPV+, so the prognosis should be the same with, or without, the neck disection. I am 7.5 years cancer free and probably would not have been a candidate for a neck disection based on today's studies. I wish that I hadn't had one, but am appreciative of the science that got me here. Don't worry..all will be ok. All the best-Rob

Unfortunately, I am HPV- (who would think that was unfortunate). But I am sure all will go well!

Looks like you are one of the 7% who has no known cause. Ive seen many on here who are young, do not smoke or drink and are HPV- but they have OC.

One positive is your age will help you to get thru this easier. Younger patients usually recover quicker and can get thru things a little easier than someone who is alot older.

Dont worry, we will help you as much as we can.

Lori,

Great news... Your speech will come back give it time, my taste buds came back but not to the full. Some things I can't eat it wrecks havoc on my tongue.

I had the ND it didn't bother me. I still look the same and the incision is in a crease, can't be seen.

Best Wishes,
Connie

Hi there... hopefully you will get the all clear. If you do and they decide against rads and chemo keep a very close eye on your neck and in your mouth. They should be monitoring you frequently. But don't wait if you find anything out of the ordinary go see someone immediately. Best of luck!

Good news on the tumor removal. Did they state they had clear margins and got it all and stated you would not receive any chemo or radiation? Usually even with clear margins but unknown primary they are going to do one/both of these to ensure they kill what may be lurking around.

Good luck