Thank you all for your responses it is helping somewhat I think I was having a major anxiety attack last night but all the same I go back and forth on all of this. I am wondering what to expect having a the flap inserted and dissections what others have experienced having this proceedure done. I understand you are well taken care of but what about drinking, eating, talking after ward. I am assuming it depends on how much of the tongue will have to be taken. So basicially it is a lot of guessing still. I have experience with my mouth being cut appart as my teeth have been removed already long time ago. Doctors and nurses unless they have experienced it can only go by words. I believe Nelie has hit it right on the nose as far as the dissections go. They are hoping they don't have to do radiation or any further treatment. I saw my doctor at the cancer center in London what a huge place. I am having a further cat scan and we will know more from there. When the oral surgeon did the biopsy part of my tongue was taken with the rest of the leasion. My tongue seems numb but get a lot of sharp pains in in every once in a while. The doctor had the pathology report from our local hospital, a cat scan and an ultra sound to work with teamed together with his knowledge. From what I understand he is one of the best in the area and I know I had luck getting him and his team. I have been told I will have a two week stay in the hospital and home care when I get home. My husband accompanies me to my appointments and he did what he could to ask questions but I believe he was in as much shock as I was. I will ask the nurse more of what to expect post surgery. I was so overwhelmed with the idea of surgery and pictures they were going to have to take inside my throat which again was really nothing but to me it is I felt like I was choking the whole time of the test thought I had broke the poor nurses hand. Which is making me nervous to have a feeding tube through my nose into my stomach. I realize there are people who are or have overcome worse situations. But I feel like I am choking.

Today is my first smoke free day!

I thank you all for your support and understanding I do tend to overreact but this is part of my disability. Anxiety attacks are a huge part of it. I respect all of you and you have my complete admiration and trust. I will trying to post information as I think of it or as it is shown to me. I am waiting patiently for a cat scan date to go back to London.

A little calmer now
Thanks
Dianne


Dianne..treatment at cc at Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario...insulin dependant, Surgery Sept 8/08 Tracheotomy,composite resection and bilateral neck dissection, left radial forearm free flap... T2N0 squamous cell carcinoma. No radiation A little over 2 yrs clear YAY