Wow you're having a lot of tongue removed I'm very surprised your not getting a graft. It will make for a shorter surgery though. My tumor was 2.4 cm x 1.4. And it was grafted. I know it sounds small but in terms of a tongue... It's not - my dr removed 1/3 of my tongue and the left floor of my mouth to be on the safe side. bless him. I was going to say great on the diet. Eating healthfully can only help but as Gloria says - make sure if you have to have rads and chemo - they aware of any supplements and vitamins you are taking. By the rate of re growth I would say your cancer is poorly differentiated - push push push - ideally (though it's not fun) I would be hoping for chemo. And rads. Hugs and best of luck!

Gloria - I just found that quote (she stood in the storm) and used in on my blog, with a picture of the tree and lake where my Mom's ashes (and spirit) are ...

reading your signature just sent chills down my spine... and made me feel very comforted.

thank you.

Sorry, Lisa. In my last post I meant to say talk to your RO about the naturopathic products you're taking because of the free radicals (not particulates). I don't know what I was thinking.

Hi all,

So the partial glossectomy and selection neck dissection were done on March 25th and surgery went well. Will get the pathology results on April 10th and have been home since March 28th. Although I went back in yesterday to see if the white crud that was on my tongue where the sutures were is normal - turns out it is... And, seems like I'm a bit of a worrier now.

The surgery went well - I had a lot of nausea post-op but that finally subsided once I dialled back on the pain meds, and other than a very stiff neck, and the endurance of a day old, am not feeling too bad.

The sutures are coming out on Wednesday - am finding the recommended neck stretches uncomfortable as I feel like I'm going to pop the sutures. Actually had a dream that my head fell off...

Tried semi-solid food today but that didn't work out so well - yogurt and protein shakes are fine though for now.

The surgeon was happy that we went ahead and did the neck dissection as I had 'a lot' of lymph nodes and the needle biopsy wouldn't have told us all we need to know. And, she was pleased with the tongue and they took an overly generous margin so that's good. Other than than the white stuff, it seems to be healing up okay.

I'm finding friend/family's reactions to me a bit hard - some just started to cry right away - others do a huge double take.

Thanks

As for others unexpected double take reaction to your new normal, try this.

We have one member from Canada (it might be CherylD) who adopted a really dry sense of humor in response to other peoples reaction to her neck surgery scar. When people would ask what happened, she had a couple of standard remarks; one was "shark attack" and the other was "husband tried to slit my throat".

I'm hoping you don't find that offensive, but I laughed so hard I about p***d my pants. Sometimes humor is the best therapy.

Tony

I joke about my neck too. Some people are dumb and ignorant so when they ask me what happened I make something different up each time. The last time I said it happened when I went to prison and had a fight with a rival gang member. The new normal is tough..but laughing helps I am glad your surgery went well. I lived on liquids for a few weeks but before I knew it I was back to eating taco Bell

People's insensitivity can be irksome. Then again, I am still convinced that unless a person has been down that road (as a patient or as a caregiver), it is extremely hard for him to truly understand the impact of the diagnosis and treatment. I adopt a very matter-of-fact tone when people ask me about John's condition. I lay out the facts in a calm and even tone. People usually take it quite well.

Hi there, thanks for the replies.

I love the shark attack one, may have to use it!

And, now, I have another question. It looks to me like my sutures on my tongue have popped. The Dr. said they would hold for about a month, but I now have a hole on the side of my tongue, that was formally sutured shut. Worthy of calling the surgeon about, or am I a hypochondriac?

Call the surgeon. Just to be on the safe side. It will heal but it might be very sensitive and may need to be restitched. Or not. good luck

Yes, call your doc and have them take a look at it. Its always better to be on the safe side and get checked than have bigger issues and you are sorry later.

Good luck!!!