Hi Eli.........My cancer was on the base of my tongue and floor of my mouth--the tumor was fairly large as you can imagine. I also had one cancerous lymph node and they thought possibly more at the time of surgery. Luckily it turned out to be only one.

As for RAD and chemo---raditaion was not an option for me--- that was a given--- after I had healed from the surgery. However, I did not have to have Chemotherapy, that was given to me as an option, but my Radiation Oncologist strongly recommended I do both treatments. I knew going in that the Doctors were not sure how much good the chemo would actually do, but I figured that if I had any chance of surviving this cancer it was in my best interest to do anything and everything possible to fight this disease.

I don't know why your sister was not offered chemo as an option other than to say that perhaps your Doctor didn't think it was necessary at the time. Five years ago surgery and RAD were the standard treatments for tongue cancer with chemo as an option. I think that has changed somewhat during the last five years because it seems more and more folks are having chemo along with the RAD. Brian, does this ring true with you? Eli, I am so sorry to hear of your sisters recurrence of tongue cancer. I know this is a difficult time for all of you. Your sister may become sicker before she gets better, but she will heal, and she will get better. Keep us posted on her progress. And remember, we're here to offer support any way we can. Good luck! SIncerely, Donna