i first noticed irritation a small lump fall 09. i was laid off several months with no insurance.
went back to work in jan 10. pain got worse but i ignored it it.
went in feb 13 2011. by that time my tongue hurt bad and had very little movement. also speech problems. had i went in a year earlier things would have been much better.

48 yo male smoker beer drinker biop dx 2/15/11 stg iv scc tongue
teeth out 2/16/11
peg 2/21/11
pet 2/22/11
total glossectomy 4/11/11
18 nodes removed. 1 cancerous margins clear