The new tumor on my mom's tongue was removed yesterday, but they were able to salvage part of the right side, so perhaps with the flap, rehab and rehab she'll have some ability to speak. Waiting on path report for tumor size and neck dissection results, hopefully there won't be any further surprises.
12 hour procedure made for a long day, I don't know how these docs have the stamina. Although I find the procedure interesting, the resident's blow-by-blow description of the operation almost made me lose my lunch and pass out. Glad it's over, now we can hopefully focus on a successful recovery and rehab upon release from the hospital in about ten days.
Mom's caregvr. DDS failed to dx 01/03. Dx Stg IV SCC 05/03. Induct. chemo, IMRT, 5FU, H, Iressa, Neck disect, radiation. Dad's caregvr. Dx 01/04 Ext. Stg SCLC. Mets to liver/bone 08/04. Died 11/12/04. Mom tongue CA dx 06/13, hemiglossectomy (80% removed) 08/13. Clean margins and nodes, but PNI. 6/15/15: Tongue CA at base of remnant tongue. Declined further tx; hospice.
Died 10/13/15. What a long and difficult journey.
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