HI there an experienced ENT someone who deals in Oral cancer all the time generally knows which nodes to take and has a good idea what paths along which cancer moves. Mine removed 40 and I had one involved but some of it had broken through the capsule. I had chemo with the rads. Tongue cancer is PAINFUL. I had a partial glossectomy - losing about a third to half of my tongue. And the pain difference for me wasn't much. It's just that instead of an isolated area, it's kind of all over your mouth. I was blessed in that I was able to maintain my fluids and nutrition and despite it being bad, I was blessed that it wasn't the horror story I heard about from some people. We are all individuals so everyone responds differently. It was no picnic, but it was doable. I had maybe 3 weeks of real pain. the rest of the time was uncomfortable - but I am not the average. You do lose your taste, and desire to eat. Mucous can become very thick making you gag. Get a good neck cream, and try using flattened club soda to rinse and swallow, it has similar healing properties to the baking soda, salt and water mixture recommended, but this is drinkable where the mixture is not. So you are getting fluids too. They will give you pain meds. There is no reason to suffer, ask for them up front. They gave me a massive bottle of liquid codeine which I tried once and promptly threw up over my husbands car... so I never touched it again. I actually only used magic mouthwash (a prescription available through your rads dr) up until the end of radiation then needed low dose oxy for a week or so - the second week I weaned myself off of it and was fine after that. Some people need far more pain meds, it is nothing to be ashamed of it all depends on your tolerance level for pain. So if you are hurting let them know.

do try to maintain fluids and nutrition it is super important... take care!