OMG, I can't believe that I am here again. I always thought that I had beaten this thing. Now I am being told that I have high grade dysplasia on the side of my tongue that they didn't remove the first time. I have done a CT scan and an MRI in the last couple of weeks and it really doesn't show me enough to warranty surgery again. I told them that I don't have much left to give them. My question now is, How long should I wait? I do have some pain in that area but its nothing like I experienced the first time around. Just don't know what to do or expect at this point.

This sounds tricky Sherry. I can fully understand your disappointment at having to possibly face surgery again. Can you get a second opinion?

When did you have your surgery?

I've been where you are with top up surgeries ... it's a real pain literally and figuratively but better than the cancer getting out of hand.

Best wishes.

It does sound tricky. I do trust the doctors, they are the ones that initially did my first surgery. I had my first surgery almost exactly three years ago. They called me back yesterday and I got an appointment with them on the 19th. I'll will have to wait until then, if I can stand the pain. I'm trying not to worry but I can't be left with no way to talk ever again. I never had reconstruction surgery, I wonder if that will help me at this point.

I replied a day ago but must have pressed preview and not submit. About reconstruction surgery, I agree it seems a lot for dysplasia but it does work. I've had a couple of such surgeries and my speech is good even with half an oral tongue quite badly scarred down. (That booming old teacher's voice just won't go away.) After my hemiglossectomy with flap, I even went back to teaching until I retired.

Keep us posted.