Have you tried mixing some baking soda with water, don't know what the proportion is, I just know by now, you don't need lots. Try 1/2 tsp in 4-6 oz water. Swish it around in your mouth, if you can get a piece of gauze, dip it in the mix and wash your tongue off, see if you can get the regular look of your tongue back, even temporarily.
Could be bacteria. Don't know about your lymph node, how long?

Number one thing though if you are concerned about oral cancer, or any cancer really, is to stop smoking. There's help out there, find a way. It'll hurt your nerves at first, but go a long way to giving you more peace of mind later on.

Best,
Anne

Last edited by AnneO; 10-22-2011 05:59 AM. Reason: clarification

SCC tongue 9/2010, excised w/clear margins:8 X 4 mm, 1 mm deep
Neck Met, 10/2010, 1 cm lymph node; 12/21/'10: Neck Diss 30 nodes, 29 clear, micro ECE node, part tongue gloss, no residual scc
IMRT & 6 cisplatin 1/20/11-2/28/11 at MDA
GIST tumor sarcoma, removed 9/2011, no chemo needed
Clear on both counts as of Fall, 2021