I was doing a search about tongue cancer, and came upon your post. A few months ago, my mother was diagnosed with tongue cancer, that had progressed to her lymph nodes, and to her lungs. It has been very progressive as well, also not operable or curable. She did not smoke nor drink. She did have ill fitting denture, which could have contributed to it, according to some web sites. Her treatment drugs sound similiar, and the radiation was placed on hold, depending on how she responds to chemo. She has only had one chemo treatment, but has had various complications. She was also working and in good health, until Early December 2008. Her tumor grew very rapidly and she has a trachestomy for breathing, and a feeding tube for liquids and medicine. We have heard different things regarding a prognosis - to calling relatives immediately before the trach, to calling in hospice, to seeing what happens with the next chemo. It can be discouraging with so much digression so quickly, and not knowing what will happen. At the same time, I don't think anyone really knows, and we hope we will have more time with my mother. The memories the last few months have been amazing, yet heart wrenching. It was comforting to find a post so similiar to my mother's condition. My heart goes out to you. This isn't an easy journey.
Elissa, daughter of cancer patient