I was scheduled for 12.22 in Cincinnati for a partial glossectomy, forearm flap, & left neck dissection.

I met with the Brown Cancer Center locally and they said the size and location of the tumor on my tongue did not warrant a flap. They could do surgery the next day. So I prayed about it and felt like that was where I was meant to go. So 12.20 I had my neck dissection and my partial glossectomy. Surgery went well the size the tumor was, was just as they had thought within the negative margins. They didn't have to do a skin graft just stitched me up. Has anyone else had this done?

I feel like things were a lot more simple than I had expected. We are still waiting for the results from the lymph nodes. In most cases would radiation be recommended anyways?

Mrs Grant...I had the same feelings it seemed to be over before I knew it. Then on to the healing. The waiting seemed to be the hardest part. I had to have the graft done but even that seemed to be better than I thought it was going to be. I am so glad to hear that you are doing so well and they could move so fast. It was meant to be! I think you may have borrowed a few of Jim's angels but that's okay he has some to share!! As far as radiation I am not experienced. I was told that it wasn't necessary since nodes were clear. But everyone and every situation is different. I think there are a lot of variables...

At this moment I am wishing for the graft....my stitches are driving me insane. Now that the swelling has went down so much the "extra" part is rubbing the inside of my mouth. Grrrr.

This too shall pass...I am not sure what you are allowed but I used to melt an ice cube in my mouth or afreezie or popsicle the all help take the edge off! You have done great so far...We are proud of you!

Shaylynn

It sounds like things have gone very well, that is great news.

If they haven't had to do a flap that is even better news. Once they have to take pieces from here to put there - things can start to get complicated and therefore in some cases create problems.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery and hopefully you won't require radiotherapy.

Karen

Shaylynn,
The staging will be fine tuned when the biopsy reports come back from the lymph nodes. Stage II is "on the fence" whether radiatin is recommended or not. Lymph node involvement could bump it to stage III.

Let's hope that all of your lymph nodes are clear!

ShayLynn,

I was a stage III due to shear size of my tumor. As you can see from my profile I had surgery, no free-flap, no chemo...but did have 7 weeks of radiation. My Lymph nodes and salivary gland came back clean. They were taken out because they lit up on the PET scan and were very large.

How much of the tongue did they take?

ShayLynn

Great news on the relatively "simple" surgery. On my second surgery I had a graft from my right thigh and the stitches they left in were long and drove me nuts! I felt like I had wire in my mouth and one of the stitches would even protrude from my lips - it was THAT long!

Here I am a year later and had completely forgotten about all that until you posted. If I recall correctly I got them to trim the stitches and then they dissolved without issue. This too shall pass!

I wish you a swift recovery.

Donna

As the donor for now 13 biopsies, plus three surgeries, I can say that the sutures are the most aggravating part! Love those punch biopsies!

If the suture ends are long, I snip off the excess with a small pair of scissors (Swiss Army Knife <grinz>), keeping in mind that the shorter stub will also be stiffer.

Shaylynn,

As you can see by my signature, I had left lateral border of the tongue scc and had surgery to remove it and negative lymph nodes.

Here's hoping that your nodes come back negative, too.

That was over 3 1/2 years ago.

Jerry