Suzanne

Thank you for sharing what you're going through - in comparison I am whining. Check out some other posts I did yesterday on song lyrics for my feelings. Now to start working on incorporating PeteD's can do attitude.

Sobradley

Thank you. We did digress from our Q & A format as I pushed back hard on alternative access. Just bad luck that the tumor is placed where there simply is no other access except split mandible that leaves them enough room to operate and totally excise it. No one could ever feel it or palpitate it even with the CT and MRI showing right where it was - just buried too deep in the back of tongue.

Christine

Thanks for the reply. I will probably check in later to get opinins on PEG control as now it seems a certainty that I have to get one. ENT said the swelling would make it impossible to swallow at first unlike the radiation and chemo which just made it painful and slow.

Ray

You're the MAN. thank you. You who have gone before me are my role models.

Sophie

Yes my wife is very upset - hard for her to hold back tears yesterday. I swear at one point all three of us (me, wife, ENT) were just quiet with red eyes after discussing this. [My ENT's husband had oral cancer of the tonsil 12 years ago and is a survivor but has dental and other issues]

Karen

I will take you up on that kind offer once I meet with the oral surgeon who will do the flap surgery and know more details. The only mention of a trach was that there would be a temporary one in the hospital for a week.
Thank you

Patty

JUST WHAT I NEEDED TO HEAR. Yeah, I know all caps is shouting but I did feel like shouting YES. I'm not so sure on talking after surgery as she did say I would wake up with a temp trach tube in place. Did you need swallowing therapy? My ENT did mention that.

Susan

You and me both. Keep those prayers coming please

Pete D

Reading your posts and the laundry list of surgery you endured does give me hope. Yes, you are exactly right about percentage of tongue. ENT stressed that she is taking out the back bottom of the tongue and lower left side while hoping to leave as much as the front as she can. And yes I did change my position and say once in take as much as you need to get really clear margins.
Unlike yourself, I intend to take a break from posting during surgery and hospital stay - since no laptop and no more blackberry, but otherwise I hope to emulate your "ironman" style (the tinman syndrome ? was just homage to my all time favorite book Wizard of Oz where the woodman is slowly cut off piece by piece until becoming the tin man )

Charm,

I would not want to be facing what you are but I have read many posts since I've been on this sire from people that have gone through what your are facing and it is very doable. Please try and remain as positive as you can and I bet you'll come out surprisingly OK.