Hi, my name is Barb and I am new to cancer, or cancer is new to me. I was diagnosed just two weeks ago with cancer on my tongue. I don't know what stage I am in, but I have had a CT and will have an MRI on Friday, February 5th, my 47th birthday(a $100.00 gift to myself). I am not crying as have been a smoker for years, but I am scared. My doctor is wonderful, calm and exudes positive energy. He's also not bad to look at. He says that he will replace the piece of tongue that is extracted with a piece of my inside wrist flesh. Pretty cool, if you ask me. I guess I will be in the hospital for about 3 weeks, recovering, which puts stress on me for my family.

I have a loving husband and two daughters, aged 9 and 12. They are dealing with this pretty well, but I have not mentioned the "C" word to my girls. My mom will come from Florida to stay with them, so that is a relief. My husband will appreciate her support. HE can't cook.

The surgey may involve a tracheotomy and a feeding tube, so it sounds so scary. Any feedback?

Staying positive in Colorado

Teacher aged 48, SCC Left side and floor of Tongue, Dx December, 2009. Stage II T2 N0 M0 Successful partial glossectomy surgery with thigh flap and neck dissection 3/8/10. 6 weeks of radiation tx ended 6/30/10. Happily surviving!

"Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere."