Time for me to chime in about the ND.

I had the same tongue cancer as you. My surgeon at a top rated Cancer Center told me you have squamous cell cancer of the tongue, but nothing showed in the lymph nodes. He also said, he'd like to take the lymph nodes "just in case". I asked him what do you mean "just in case" he said, the cancer cells travel they are so small a CT/PET scan won't pick them up until they are the size of a nickel. I told him take them I'd rather be safe than sorry, he agreed. No there weren't any cancer cells in the lymph nodes. If I didn't have it done I would be wondering (today) are there any cancer cells that are going to pop up in the next few years because I didn't have this done.

I know it sounds scary to have the lymph nodes removed, I'm the biggest baby going. Really, I expected a lot more than what I went through. I have had little problem with my neck it gets stiff all I do is massage it, it's gone.

The major problem I have is saying words with an S sound, but then again I'm a fast talker.

As it was stated surgeons like to cut, BUT I went the long way to get to my surgeon at Moffitt Cancer Center. I went through 5 different doctors here who don't know which way is up and they still don't. One of them sent me to a Radiation Oncologist because he thought I needed radiation and he was an ENT Surgeon, go figure. The Radiation Oncologist asked me what I was doing there that I needed surgery and not radiation. He said, I won't put you through that for this type of cancer you need surgery he made a call and I was on my way to Moffitt.

The best thing you can do is go to a Cancer Center they know what they're doing.

Best Wishes...Congrats!!! on your new additon.

Connie