Hi Kazy, as you will see from my signature line, I had the same diagnosis as you. Mine also spread quickly, and I was also a smoker (now quit).

I am one year, one month and one day past my surgery, and doing well, so don't freak out about the statistics. The best you can do is to do everything to be healthy (including quitting). I used the nicotine inhaler, which worked pretty well.

The surgery is long and involved, but it is totally doable. The recovery is slower than we would all like, but again, doable.

Your PET and biopsy will tell a lot, but do try and get to a cancer centre.

We're here for any questions.


Tina
Diag: Aug. 13/12
T3N0M0
50% + glossectomy and bilateral radical neck dissection, removal of nodes zones I - V
Surgery October 11/12
Chemo/rad on hold due to clear margins and nodes
Sept 21/13 clear CT with anomaly thought to be the artery, being watched closely.
Dec 16/13 - anomaly confirmed artery, all clear
nickname: "get 'r done"
Plans: kick cancer's butt