| | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 17 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 17 | My name is Madelaine and I am new to this site. I had an 8 hr surgery for squamous cell carcinoma under my tongue on 2/3/15 and 22 neck lymphmodes removed.They took a vein from my rigght forearm and a graft to help the hole after the cancer removal. Then I devloped a blood clot which they contained with another surgery the next day. Thankfully the nodes all came back negative for cancer and my Dr.s/ say no further treatment is necessary. I am now off the feeding tube and eating soft foods and liquids. Very tired. I am also a breast cancer survivor of 15 years.Grateful.
I am a 65 year old reitired woman. I have been married to a great man for 42 years. I had a right breast masectomy 15 years ago.
squamous cell carcinoma under my tongue was diagnosed earlier this month. I had surgery 2/3/15. 22 lymph nodes out of my neck came back negative for metasis. The Drs. say I do not need chemo or radiation. I'm off the feeding tube and now on a liquid/soft food diet. I see the surgeon again next week. I am grateful and optimistic.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF! Sounds like you are doing very well with your recovery. You are so fortunate to be able to be eating and drinking so quickly. Congrats on the successful treatment 
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 | Welcome Madelaine! You found a great place to learn and share about life after surgery. There are many folks with similar treatment who are doing very well; I'm sure you will get plenty of advice to question you may have. don
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 | Welcome, Madelaine. Sounds as if you are doing well. I too experienced oral cancer as my second cancer with 11 years between advanced ovarian cancer (cured) and my first bout of tongue cancer. The body takes a right old battering!
My tongue cancer has recurred but one of my doctors implied that I am in a small percentage of patients in whom new primaries occur over time. You have a very good chance of being in the 80% who get away without a recurrance.
I was 63 when I had my first BIG tongue surgery and reconstruction. I was amazed how well my aging body coped with that. Early last year I had another big surgery at 67 years old and once again the body bounced back to normal health. I have dental and eating problems now but the rest of the body just ploughs on as normal. I've gained a lot of knowledge on this site about the need to consume a lot of protein to aid healing.
Best wishes!!!
1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 17 Member | | OP Member
Joined: Feb 2015 Posts: 17 | I am 26 days out from surgery at the base of my tongue for scc. Dr. says I am healing well and to go on solid foods. It hurts and burns to chew. I know I am lucky to be off the feeding tube and then liquid diet but I don't want to eat. Every thing looks good but the pain is real.
I am a 65 year old reitired woman. I have been married to a great man for 42 years. I had a right breast masectomy 15 years ago.
squamous cell carcinoma under my tongue was diagnosed earlier this month. I had surgery 2/3/15. 22 lymph nodes out of my neck came back negative for metasis. The Drs. say I do not need chemo or radiation. I'm off the feeding tube and now on a liquid/soft food diet. I see the surgeon again next week. I am grateful and optimistic.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2011 Posts: 945 | You could begin with food that is easy to chew and swallow. My husband found noodles with an alfredo sauce easy to manage. It's just going to take a while for the nerves in your tongue to calm down, and for the swelling to fully reduce. Get your nutrition, but give yourself time. You can try toddler veggies to get your healthful food down without having to work too hard at it.
Best wishes - and be creative!
Maria
CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2013 Posts: 1,291 Likes: 1 | If you are to swallow food try to grind it up to make it easier on your throat. Go to Walmart and get a 10 dollar baby food grinder. You can put just about any normal cooked food in there and it grinds it into a nice texture. Not like a blender but not like you chopped it up. Worked great for me during that part of getting past the swallow pain,
Don Male, 57 - Great health except C Dec '12 DX: BOT SCC T2N2bMx, Stage 4a, HPV+, multiple nodes 1 tooth out Jan '13 2nd tooth out Tumor Board -induction TPF (3 cycles), seq CRT 4-6/2013 CRT 70gr 2x35, weekly carbo150 ended 5/29,6/4 All the details, join at http://beatdown.cognacom.com | | |
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