Thanks Cheryl and Everyone

Surgery is done and recouping at home. I had a CO2 Laser glossectomy of the left ventral side of my tongue. No graft needed. The area that was lasered was pretty much more than just the left ventral side it included the front of my tongue and base/ bottom of my mouth too. I have copious amounts of saliva, severely restricted ROM to my tongue cannot talk well. My entire tongue except for the very very right lateral side is completely numb. Lots of pins and needle feelings though (regenerating nerves I gather) Nobody can understand me when I talk. I am drooling and am developing what looks like candida on my tongue.

Has anyone else out there had CO2 Laser glossectomy?

I stopped taking the T3 and they were contributing to my lightheadness and shakes. I don't consume caffeine at all. I haven't been eating much, no appetite, mild nausea. Sleeping is almost non existant, lying awake at 0300am is not conductive to healing. So I stopped the T3s. Today Post Op day 3 I had a shower and am begining to feel better/stronger off the T3.

Waiting for the finale pathology report and my post op f/u is Oct 25. Such a loooong wait.

questions: How long does it take for the tongue to develop some normal function? Not so numb? ROM? I was told that the recovery is similiar to a tonsilectomy, really?? This is what a tonsilectomy is like?

I also have a white 1cm patch under my tongue that I have been told by the Head and Neck RN via email that is part of normal healing, but I am a nurse and this doesnt look like normal epithelial healing??? But then again I am not familiar with Oral surgeries.

I know compared to most here on this site, this sx was a walk in the park and I am greatful for that. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Wondering if I will be ready for work by Oct 19? (I have a 2 day work gig for a School of Pharmacology, I get to be a pretend patient, part of their licensing exam process) Doctors told me 2 weeks, and I am not convinced this is achievable.


Tracy
T. SCCA
CO2 Laser Left Ventral Glossectomy Oct 3 2011


Tracy Dx @ age 47
Single No dependants
NS/Social ETOH
Clinical Study (early detection)
Dx July/09 Mod. Dysplasia (lichen planus)
Dx Sept/11 TisN0M0 SSC Lt Tongue
Sx Oct/11 CO2 Laser Glossectomy
Sx Mar/12 Release of tongue anchoring (Skin graft)
Lingual Nerve Damage