Rick,

So sorry to hear your bad news. You didn't mention your Mom's age. I am almost in the same position as you. My Mom had 1/4 of her tongue removed last May, neck dissection but, all nodes were clear. There was no radiation. This past year she has had pneumonia 4 times and now has more lesions under her tongue which were biopsied and found to be precancerous. We have an appt. with her oncologist next week. She had an MRI last week to rule our stokes for her problem with swallowing. No strokes were found, but it was discovered that she has something called NPH, Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (liquid on the brain)which is causing her many problems and is a progressive disease. She has all the symptoms, forgetfullness that mimics Alzheimers, trouble walking, and the beginnings of incontinence. We must see a neurologist for this but want to get the oncologist appointment out of the way first to see what he has to say about the growths. The neurological answer to the NPH is surgery, putting shunts in her skull to drain the fluid to another part of her body. I don't know if she can withstand the resolution to her problem. This on top of the cancer is getting us both down and very depressed. She is 86 and I am 61, not a spring chicken myself. We're just praying for some answers that we can live with. I am in complete empathy with the problems your family is having to endure. May God be with you and your family to guide you and help see you thru this ordeal. My prayers are with you.

Margie

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Caregiver for Mom who had 1st stage tongue cancer and neck dissection May 2004 and now has precancerous lesions in same area of tongue coupled with a neurological problem of NPH.