Hi everyone!
My name is Patty. I am currently living in Sitka, Alaska.

About 1 1/2 years ago I noticed a ulcer under my tongue. I ignored it thinking it was just my teeth bothering that area, no big deal. Eventually it began to bother me when I ate and talked. Our visiting ENT doc helped with some dental paste. After a couple of months that seemed to irritate the area more and of course once I quit using it the area seemed to grow. The steroid had just retarded the growth.

Our visiting ENT doc preferred to send me to someone that handles a lot of head/neck cases, which was in Seattle. My husband and I flew to Seattle, had my consult and the next day had my biopsy. He also looked at my esophagus and trachea, that was all clear. The next day he told us it was SCC.

I opted to have a hemi-glossectomy and suprahyoid neck dissection. They did the PET/CT scan and that was all clear. On August 10th, I had my surgery at Swedish Medical Center and all went well. He ended up taking less than he had anticipated, basically just a good chunk off the side of my tongue. I couldn't have been happier with my care, absolutely top notch!

I just went back for my 4 week post op appointment and all my pathology reports were negative. What a relief for now.
The only problem I'm having right now is my lower teeth rubbing against my tongue. I don't think it's going to go away, but if it doesn't by my next follow up appointment he wants to do a biopsy (to make sure it's granulation tissue) and then laser the area.

I found OCF when my Mother sent me a link to Collenn Zenk Pinter's website. Her website helped her tremendously and OCF helped me learn what I was dealing with. I've learned a whole lot and really appreciate that it's there.

I'm sorry, I've written a novel. I feel embarrassed to be here, many of you have been through so much compared to me.
I really look forward to meeting all of you.