Hi,
My name is Michele and since I have been lurking for about 2 days, I thought it was time to introduce myself.

I am 38 years old and I was diagnosed last week with Squamous cell carcinoma in my right lateral tongue. I've had a CT scan of my brain, face and neck-along with a chest x-ray and have an appt tomorrow with the ENT and surgeon to go over the results, discuss staging, etc. At this point all that I know, is that I am going to have a partial glossectomy, everything else is up in the air until tomorrow.

My heart bleeds for my parents because they are having a really hard time with this. I am their second child with cancer (my brother died of luekemia at 5 yrs old a long time ago) At least my mother will talk about it, but my father completely internalizes everything.

I also have Multiple Sclerosis (was diagnosed at 19) and kind of have an irreverant sense of humor (I decided a long time ago that making light of something serious doesn't make it less serious, it just makes it more entertaining and therefore easier for me to endure) One of my sisters (who does not have the same sense of humor as I do) was questioning why she and my other sister are so healthy and I have so many health issues/complications--I told her faulty manufacturing. She did not find it funny. I thought it was amusing.

I was on an MS treatment called Tysabri which was a monthly IV infusion, but the protocols are really strict for the Tysabri and now will not be allowed to have the infusions. I'm having a hard time with that, as it's been the only thing that even seemed to keep the MS remotely in check. But, I have to put that on the back burner for right now and just deal with what is right in front of me. Like they sang to the bumble in one of those christmas specials "just put one foot in front of the other..."

Sorry, this post is so long as you can see, I am a "talker"--yes, I realize, there is an irony somewhere that I got cancer of the tongue...

But, seriously--thank you so much for this site. It's been the most valuable resource I've been able to find online. I sent the link to my sisters and my husband (and would have to my parents, but they don't have internet) shocked

Be well all,
Michele [font:Comic Sans MS] [/font]

SCC, R Lateral tongue, T1N0M0, Diag: 3/15/10
38 yrs old at diag HPV Neg, Non Smoker Non Drinker
4/12/10 Partial Glossectomy, No Rads or Chemo
7/15/10 excision biopsy L mid posterior tongue - NEGATIVE