This is not the club I wanted to join, but here I am, May 18 2005 had surgery Rochester Mayo, After a referal, Had large lump on right side of neck, didn,t do any thing till may, It was squramous cell that had spread there, but thats not whare it started, so back in they go for a look see found it on the base of my tongue as well, I was in Rochester 2 days later having surgery, they told me before surgery the worst case, they would have to take my tongue out, have a trak put in till it healed, that was the longest night I every spent thinking about it, I was of the mind to just lets get it done, well the tumor on my tongue was small, it was at the base of my tongue, The first thing I did when I woke up was to feel my tongue, I feel I am very lucky, to have caught it, how long was it there? they said maybe 3 years or more or less it just a guess.
They remove my lymph nodes and jugular vein on my right side, during this hit muscle that makes my right arm work. I can still pick my nose so not all is lost. 3 rounds of chemo, 33 radiation treatments, Im still here having good check ups.
Another person Had the same thing, but had to remove her tongue, we had the same DR. 3 years out it came back. This is what they told her, if 2 cells get by the radiation they will double each month, it takes one billion cells to show up. Hers returned on her lung they have removed them it looks good for her. They are enough neg things going on when we have cancer, there are alot of us that have been misdiagnosed, I went thru 2 months of having a pitty party for myself, depression, went to my doctor informed him of it he put me a meds an d I feel good as new, just can,t move like it. I ride bike when I can, have 2 children 12 & 15 I need to get thru school. It is a very scary thing, but you are not alone, and it can be beat. This board is a great thing, I had to search around but did find 2 others that had the same thing we all have had the same doctor, we do talk often it does help.
Good Luck
Chris