Thanks to you all
Yes I think once I have the surgery I will have a permenent label, it will be indelible and every time I look in the mirror I will be reminded, so I have a choice here, either I look at the scars and think yep I did well I beat this, or I look in the mirror and mourn what has gone, but if I do this at least I stand a chance of looking in the same mirror in 10 years and saying UM.. wasn't so bad and I'm still here to moan about it.. My family Doc, says better to breath air through a hole in your neck than mud through your nose.. so YEP my feet are pretty much back on the ground, and I promise if I get in a blue funk, I will remember you all went before me, and NO I won't let the side down...
SO...
Sunshine.. love and hugs to you all
Helen

SCC Base of tongue, (TISN0M0) laser surgery, 10/01 and 05/03 no clear margins. Radial free flap graft to tonsil pillar, partial glossectomy, left neck dissection 08/04