The surgery was listed as a partial-hemi glossectomy. I guess this gave the surgeon the option to check on thing and take what was needed. I my case, I was very lucky that the DR only had to take about 10% of the forward poution of the tongue. I did not have to have neck dissection

As far as staging, I do not know.

I did have neck and chest CT scans and head and neck 3T MRI scans that did not indicate any spreading of the cancer.

The follow-up visit confirmed (by pathology) that the margins of surgery came back clear. Our continuing treatment is going to consist of monthly visits and quarterly scans to catch any signs of recurrance. No current plans for radiation or Chemo.

I guess as far as the healing process, I was doing my self a favor; iguess. Once they discharged me from the hospital, I went straight to GNC and got high protein meal replacement shakes and also ate scrambled eggs. It seems that the DR was very skilled, as the biopsies hurt worse than the actual surgery (with the exception of the skin graft donor site).

And yes, my wife was pregnant when I quit smoking and we have a gorgeous 3yo daughter now.