Hi,

I don't want to sound too negative, but I'm concerned that JetAgeHobo's surgical experience may be less than what the drs are planning for you. Their plan sounds similar to what I had. It may depend on how much of the tongue and surrounding tissue will be removed.

After 1 1/2 years of monitoring & bioposies for Leukoplakia, I too was diagnosed with SCC on the lateral tongue. Pre-surgery they were calling it a stage T2. The plan was to remove 1/2 my tongue -to the mid-line, as well as neck dissection on the left side, split my lower jawbone to access the tongue/floor of the mouth. And do a reconstruction/flap with tissue from my chest (forearm was also discussed).

I had an 11 day stay, with a trach tube while in the hospital (no PEG, but had a feeding tube through my nose for ~ 3 weeks). Unlike JetAgeHobo, I did NOT speak the first night after surgery. I hardly even remember the first night due to being drugged up and in ICU - as expected, not due to any complications. I did not speak for about a week and then it was with the trach - very strange, and only one word or so at a time. I was NOT allowed to eat anything for the entire 11 days in the hospital. I was not even allowed water or ice chips.

But, the good news, I'm recovering and doing well 5 months out from surgery. My speech is definitely different but most people can understand me most of the time. I also had radiation treatment.

i'd be happy to answer any questions, etc.

Ask questions of your medical team. It sounds as though they are taking an aggressive approach by removing more tissue to help prevent a reoccurrance. (Not a bad thing, I think many, if not most of us, here at the chat board would advocate being aggressive with this cancer).

Because your speech will be different you might want to consider taping what you sound like now. I wish I had done more of that. Funny, that I always hated to hear the sound of my own recorded voice. I wish I had tape-recorded reading some stories for my kids. We do have my voice on video camera and it is still on own telephone answering machine.

My scars seemed major while in the hospital but I am amazed now how much they have faded.

good luck, stay strong. You CAN do this; there is lots of support here for you!
Michelle