Jennifer,

I had ear pain before my tumor was removed but once it was removed, the pain was gone and there was no effect on my hearing. The ENT said that the tumor was inflaming the nerves and there is a lot of referred pain from the mouth to the ear. If the tumor is very late stage, and it doesn't sound like yours is, then nerve involvement can become an issue.

I did have a PET scan before my surgery, and a CAT scan. My initial biopsy was May 16, got the results May 23, I saw three ENTs between May 27 and June 2, and my surgery was July 1. You are having everything done that you need to have done and I don't think you should panic over a week or two. Research the modified neck dissection (which compared to the glossectomy was a walk in the park)and decide if that is the way you want to go. Depending on your staging and what the scans say, it may not be optional.

Please feel free to e-mail me -- I'd be happy to call you. It sounds like you've gotten it early which is the key to being around for your kids for a long, long time.

Barb