My adventures with oral cancer started in 2005, and I had my 4th partial glossectomy this week.

I developed an ulcer/sore on my tongue in December (same side as my previous problems). My team of doctors kept on eye on the area for a few months and in February I had a biopsy at Johns Hopkins.

The biopsy revealed moderate dysplasia, which is a pre-cancerous condition. While not cancer yet, my doctor felt with my past history it will very likely turn into cancer at some point (and I fear he is correct).

My doctor gave me three options: 1) watchful waiting; 2) surgery; or 3) a clinical trial. I considered the clinical trial or surgery � watchful waiting was just too stressful for me!

The clinical trial involved a drug called Cetuximab (Erbitux). It would require weekly trips to Baltimore for 8 weeks. They are testing this drug on pre-cancerous lesions and it has shown to reverse or slow the growth of the dysplasia. I may still have needed surgery afterwards, but maybe not as big an area. So once again I was faced with some tough decisions.

After researching the drug used in the clinical trial and talking to a few other �experts� I know, I decided on the surgery option.

I had my surgery on Tuesday, 4/19 at Johns Hopkins.

From what I can see, he did take a pretty large area on the surface of the tongue � top, side and towards the floor of mouth. It doesn�t appear that he cut into the muscle of the tongue. I don�t have any stitches this time (or at least I don�t think I do) so he cauterized the whole area. It looks pretty ugly, but at least I still have a lot of my tongue left!

I do have some swelling, but not as bad as prior surgeries. And the pain medication is helping and I�m able to drink and eat (liquid or soft food only).

So now I am anxiously and nervously waiting for the biopsy results, and praying for a good report. I would greatly appreciate if you can keep me in your prayers that I am �cancer free� and require no further treatment!

Thanks for all your support and prayers!