 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: May 2008 Posts: 551 | Marma,
Have you talked to any doctors about reconstruction after your Papa's tongue is removed? My surgery removed about 30 - 40% of my oral tongue as well, but it was immediately (in the same surgery) rebuilt using tissue from my wrist (a radial free-flap reconstruction). My surgeon was able to preserve the tip of my tongue so once the swelling went down, about a week, I was able to speak fairly clearly as well as drink, and eventually eat, normally. Two months out, no one can tell I had surgery at all, unless they look inside my mouth.
It sounds like you are navigating a difficult maze there. My thoughts and best prayers are with you and your family.
- Margaret
Stage IV SCC lt lateral tongue, surgery 5/19/08 (partial gloss/upper neck dissection left side/radial free flap reconstruction) IMRT w/weekly Cisplatin & Erbitux 6/30/08, PEG 1 6/12/08 - out 7/14 (in abdominal wall, not stomach), PEG 2 7/23/08 - out 11/20/08, Tx done 8/18/08
Second SCC tumor, Stage 1, rt mobile tongue, removed 10/18/2016, right neck dissection 12/9/2016
Third SCC tumor, diagnosed, 4/19/2108, rt submandibular mass, HPV-, IMRT w/ weekly Cisplatin, 5/9 - 6/25/2018, PEG 3 5/31/2018
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