Hey! I hope you're doing ok (all things considered of course). You knew that the pathology report would say it was cancer, right? They had the evidence it was cancer due to your punch biopsies. I guess I'm curious if there was anything surprising that they found from the surgeries because from my understanding all the pathology that came back was exactly as the doctors thought.

I went to my new pain specialist today and physical therapy. My radiation oncologist now referred me to the pain management clinic because she said she has treated me up to her knowledge level and now it is up to them now on how to manage my residual radiation pain. She said she's not very knowledgeable on long-term pain control so it makes sense I've now been turned over to the clinic. The guy was great. He was fine with me not liking gabapentin and deciding to taper off and quitting it and with continuing my oxycodone. He did say that cymbalta (sp.?) is the drug of choice for ongoing pain from chemo and/or radiation so down the road if I want to explore another option then that is what he has in mind. So anyway all in all a great appointment.

The phy therapy is ALWAYS soooo relaxing. It feels so good to have someone work and loosening all the muscles in my jaw and neck to keep those muscles good and pliable. I go twice a week and my insurance has approved me for 60 treatments so I'm not sure when I will give these up but right now I'm thinking not anytime soon. They feel good and they really do a good job with getting rid of the puffiness under my jawline by basically massaging the lymph fluid and encouraging it to flow down and out of my neck. Have you had a neck dissection? I know you've had throat and tongue but I don't remember anything said about the neck dissection.

I received a machine yesterday delivered to my home that is also being used to treat my neck/jaw lymphedema. It's called a flexitouch. I strapped that thing on and hit the power button and it was very relaxing. Have you ever heard of it? I can't wait to get home and use it again. It's not as nice as the massage but it does feel nice for my stiff neck and jaw.

Anyway I look forward to hearing how things are going for you!

Laura Age 40
Tongue lesion on left side grew and was hurting in mid-August
Dx as squamous cell carcinoma on 9.18.18
Left Neck Dissection and tongue surgery, lost a fourth of my tongue on 10.1.18, tumor had grown to a T3
Margins were clear except front section of tongue margin had three stray cancer cells that were not in the tumor
Additional surgery 10.18.18 to remove another cm near where the stray cells were found
33 radiation treatments from Nov 2018 through Jan 2019