Hi everyone - I too have been browsing this site since February 2004 when my twin sister Cathy (already a member here)was diagnosed with tongue cancer. She had her surgery March 18th - partial glossectomy and radical neck dissection on left side. We live together so I've been her caregiver. She started rad treatments May 13th but really swelled up over that weekend so much so that at the monday morning treatment the mask didn't fit. Doctor ordeed a bunch of tests and scan and cancer had reccured on the operated side. He admitted her to hospital where she is continuing with the twice daily rad plus steroids for the swelling (which has helped tremendously) and antibiotics for some mystery fever they couldn't pinpoint.

At this point the doctor is saying he didn't have any evidence that the radiation wasn't working so she is forging ahead with that. Now the swelling is down a lot but not gone - in fact her tongue is swollen enough so that it prevents her being able to talk - after the surgery she had gotten to the point where she could call me at work and I could pretty much understand everything she said but this relapse is so frustrating. Also the skin on her neck where they did the surgery is really hard - is that common? Everyone on this board seems so supportive - I'm glad I finally registered.