New consultant: found swollen lymph node 1 cm - might be a muscle or a tethering but he has ordered FNA with ultrasound. Have no idea when that appointment will be. After that my already sore tongue started to hurt like hell. Nerves, I thought: that mind-body connection. Went to GP: an ulcer under tongue near join with flap. Could be a normal apthous ulcer or "sinister". A double-banger and only a month or so after my last punch biopsy.

The ulcer improved after a day or so with Orabase but is still there. I can't see it because my tongue is such a mess and so stiff that I can't manoeuvre myself in the mirror. I'll give it about five more days ...I'm taking painkillers all the time because if I have pain I worry and because I'm at such a busy time of the year with family staying and the school year drawing to a close: exams and reports.

As chance would have it I was booked into the Auckland Hospital ENT for them to do a review of my case on December 14. By then the FNA and ulcer situation might have come to good or bad fruition. So that day is my D-Day.

A long time to wait.

1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.