Wendy,

Welcome to OCF - it is the best source for information on oral cancer.

My story is similar to your husbands - T1 at diagnosis in 2005 and had a recurrence in 2010 in the same location. (More details in my signature).

Where you are treated is very important - I found that out the hard way. I was first treated at a local hospital, went to a few different hospitals for a second opinion (long story), and ended up at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore when I had the recurrence in 2010. I truly believe if I had started at Hopkins, I would not have had the problems I faced along the way. Hopkins is one of the best hospitals for head and neck cancer in the USA, along with MD Anderson. I had 2 surgeries before I went to Hopkins, and one thing that the local hospital did not do was to conduct a biopsy during the surgery (referred to as frozen sections) so to help ensure that all cancer is removed the first time. I found out months later that there was cancer in the margins from my first surgery.

You can read more about my oral cancer recurrence adventures by clicking on my username and looking for posts I created in 2010. I had 4 surgeries on my tongue in the same area. My speech is pretty clear but I find when I talk a lot not so much. This week it will be 12 years since I was first diagnosed. It's been a rocky road, but I'm still here and enjoying life.

If I can answer any other questions just ask!