Hi Dianne,
Maybe I have missed something but looking through your post�s it looks like only surgery has been mentioned at this stage?
Just a little about my experience which seems similar to the one of August (Colleen) and maybe what you are looking at.
I did not understand what some of the terms were until around 1 year after my surgery when I discovered this site. Even now I am not 100% sure if what I write is correct as it is from what I remember experiencing and being told or have since learnt.
Not long ago I did get a copy of my pathology reports and brief notes that were written during my operation and that is a whole new language of its own confused
After a long operation I was in intensive care for 1 week and then another week on the ward. During the operation nodes were sent to pathology and tested and the results given to the surgeons during the operation. A little jaw bone was removed and the pathology on this took around 10 days to come back.
I was fed liquid and liquid food through a tube inserted in my nose down to my stomach. Maybe that is what they are referring to if it is surgery only at this stage.
Also had a tracheotomy (scar now easily hidden if I choose) and both tubes were removed at about the 1 week mark. I was also connected to other tubes as well including ones for body functions, pain medication and monitoring.
I also had the free flap as you can see from my signature.
BTW I only had around 3 weeks from diagnosis by biopsy to surgery. No other test�s were done as I went along with the urgency implied!!!
The time went quickly as I kept working and had the usual blood, X-Rays, ECG, urine tests plus organising finances and after hospital options.
Hope some of this helps and if you have any further questions please feel free to ask.
Wrote this a few hours ago but had it saved before my line dropped out. See there have been a few replies and as you can see am an X-Smoker who had smoked as long as you but not quite as long as Jim wink
Stopped a couple of days before op. and no way I could smoke for the 2 weeks in hospital. After that I as well and truly over it but like most addicts will not even try 1 as I have a feeling I know where that could lead. Coming up for 2 years now.
Cheers
Gabriele

History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.

1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family