Hi y'all -

My 35-year-old, non-smoking/non-drinking husband was diagnosed on October 11 with oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (T3N1M0), left lateral tongue. HPV results are equivocal but the cancer is acting like HPV - it's very aggressive and fast-acting. His initial biopsy in July showed only dysplasia, and then in October it was definitely SCC (moderately differentiated).

He had a partial glossectomy and left selective neck dissection (levels 2, 3, and 4 - 26 nodes in total) last week, on November 1 - we got home from the hospital on Sunday. Today we met with his surgeon for follow-up and to get the path results on the lymph nodes, so now we're looking at radiation in 3 weeks (we're supposed to get the first call from the radiation oncologist tomorrow).

This has been unbelievably fast and completely surreal. I feel like just as I get my head wrapped around one part of it, something new comes up. And I am just...drowning in this. We both have a good support system but I don't feel like I can be anything other than really upbeat and positive when talking to folks. And y'all, I am SO ANGRY about this. I am furious that this is happening to my husband and to our family (we have a 6-year-old daughter), and I need people who understand that.

So...hi. I hate any of us have to be here but I'm really grateful that this place exists.

Husband diagnosed 10/11/12 with Stage III oral tongue SCC, T3N1M0 (HPV negative). 35 years old, non-smoker, non-drinker.
Hemiglossectomy and left selective neck dissection (levels 2, 3, and 4) on 11/01/12.
Chemo (Cisplatin x 3) finished 1/23/13.
Radiation finished 1/28/13.