Hi everyone,

I am astounded by the depth of knowledge and compassion shown by everyone involved in this great community. I have been reading through virtually the whole forum for a while, and I have finally got it together enough to post. I need to thank Gabe for his PM which gave me the prod I needed.

Hopefully my signature is decipherable, but my story in short so far:
2006 - small ulcer biopsied from right side of tongue. SCC with clear margins, and no further action taken.

6/2007 - Recurrence in the same place. Referred to Adelaide H&N clinic which recommended hemiglossectomy, MRND and rads. Got a second opinion in Brisbane, which recommended the same treatment. Had the surgery, which ended up being a partial glossectomy with a primary closure, and MRND levels I to IV (all clear). I had the rads, which was the worst part, but came out the other side fine in the end.

4/2010 - Recurrence in scar tissue in pretty much the same place, and PET scan shows that it is in two nodes on the right side. H&N clinic again recommending a hemiglossectomy with RFFF and MRND (hopefully preserving the SAN). Surgery scheduled for July 24.

I think after the major surgery and rads in 2007, I still didn't really think that the cancer was anything more than a momentary speed hump in our lives to be gotten over and forgotten about. My surgeon had said that disease free for five years was the short term goal, but after three years I was feeling pretty much that it was all over. Now that it's back, I think we are both thinking much more along the lines of "this is something that is now an ongoing part of our lives", and probably why I have joined this community.

As I replied to Gabe when he PM'd me, I don't really know if I have no questions at all, or so many that I can't tell one from the next. I suspect the latter. I suppose it all boils down to "Is this the right treatment?". We are pretty confident in and trusting of my surgeon, but I have this underlying feeling that I don't have enough info (about me, like scan details and the like). My surgeon is setting up an appointment with an MO to get a better overall picture of the disease, and I'm hopeful that this will leave me feeling a bit more settled.

Sorry for rambling so much. I don't think I've actually asked a question. But it's a good feeling to be here.

Cheers
Jules