I am returning to this site for the second time to give my experience strength and hope for you.
I was first diagnosed with tongue cancer back in December 1998 and since that time my life has been a series of many ups and downs!
Surgeries:
1. 40% Glossectomy of tongue
2.Left and right neck dissections
3.Left arm skin graft
4.Chemotherapy (Cisplatin) 4 doses
5. 38 radiation treatments

I was a heavy drinker but I didnt smoke
I bit my tongue chewing gum once and it never healed. I think a big contributer was stress from life contary to popular belief.
Anyway i got my strength from God and from fellow survivors who inspire me and give me courage to fight another day.
I now have my speech back after 6 months of therapy but still have difficulty swallowing and with dry mouth.
I had a Petscan done 2 weeks ago and they said it was clean with areas of ambiguity...whatever that means.
Anyway I hope this helps someone and I look forward to hearing more survival stories!!
Bob