I have a little less than half a tongue and I'm planning on going a LONG time with that seeing as I'm only 23! I do have a flap from my forearm and my only complaint about it is that I don't have feeling in it and I "lose" food on that side of my mouth sometimes! Having half a tongue is definitely better than having cancer! It didn't take me too long to relearn how to use it either!


Stephanie, 23, SCC on the right side of my tongue, surgery on 5-19-08, over half my tongue removed, free flap constructed from my forearm, bilateral neck dissection, one positive node. Radiation (32) and chemo (carboplatin) started on 6-16-08. Recurrence 4/09 in lungs.

**** Stephanie passed away 12.15.09.... RIP our dear friend****