I feel like I just wrote this same email, probably because I did just over 4 months ago. Last Thursday, we received devistating news that my mom's tongue cancer has returned. She had been having trouble swallowing and felt that her tongue was a little swollen. Her doctor confirmed our worst fear that a new tumor had grown on her tongue. She had a tumor and about 1/4 of her tongue removed on September 1st. At that time, they thought they had gotten all the cancer, didn't do radiation, and we all felt we were on the road to recovery. In fact, the week before Christmas she went in for her check-up and the doctor said that everything looked good. In hind-site, she did mention at that appointment that she had some tingling in her tongue. Her doctor said it was the nerves healing and probably some scar tissue. We wish now we would have pushed for him to run some tests.

She went to see an Oncologist on Friday and then had a PET scan on Tuesday morning to determine whether or not the cancer had spread anywhere else in her body. The good news, if you can see it that way, is that the cancer is contained to her tongue at this time. Unfortunately, surgery is not an option. If they had to surgically remove the tumor, it would probably require removing the entire tongue or leaving just a small sliver. Instead she is going to have both radiation and chemotherapy. Both will likely begin next week.

She is scared, but keeping a pretty positive attitude. She is ready to fight this terrible disease head on. I'm so amazed at how strong of a woman she is. Her only moments of weakness is when she worries about how my dad is doing through all of this.