| Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 3,082 | Barb
For what it is worth, I had the same surgery a year ago PLUS additional Cyberknife radiation and second round of chemo, yet after speech therapy, I can talk as long as I do so SLOWLY AND ENUNCIATE EACH WORD. I put that in caps, because while I chafe at these restrictions, perhaps speaking slowly and extremely very distinctly would work in your line of work. Actually, a lot of former colleagues have indicated that my former machine gun pace and verbal pyrotechnics made it hard for them to fully understand me. They actually prefer the "new normal". The key is exactly as Brian posted: Treat this as a new challenge and get good speech therapy. First you have to beat this cancer. keep the faith charm 65 yr Old Frack Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+ 2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG 2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery 25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Apaghia /G button 2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa 40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin Passed away 4-29-13
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | Barb,
Probably asked this before but why are you opting for this surgery? Why won't radiation do the job for you?
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 38 Contributing Member (25+ posts) | Contributing Member (25+ posts) Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 38 | Thanks Brian for the elephant story. Makes me hungry...:)Has ben one week since my partial glossectomy and I am healing well. The swelling is intense as they had to cut my neck open to get out the lymph nodes....all clear. I have had lotsa time to sit and think about the future and am giving to what happens will work out. I don't know much about the radiation therapy, but will talk to those folks in the next few weeks. I will beat this, I know. With the tumor gone, I am looking forward to irradicating any pesky wanna be's. And thank you for this website. There was so much information and support in the words of these people, that it made the surgery less scary. I hope to help others as they journey the course to recovery. Barb in Colorado Hospital
Teacher aged 48, SCC Left side and floor of Tongue, Dx December, 2009. Stage II T2 N0 M0 Successful partial glossectomy surgery with thigh flap and neck dissection 3/8/10. 6 weeks of radiation tx ended 6/30/10. Happily surviving!
"Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere."
| | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 13 Member | Member Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 13 | Barb, Great that your surgery is over and you're recovering well. I had about 1/3 of my tongue removed and the free flap reconstruction 3.5 years ago, and am doing great. I am happy to answer any questions.
Blessings to you and your family.
10/2006 SCC of tongue, 2cm+ (T2)No node involvement or metastases; Resection approx. 1/3 of tongue, free flap reconstruction and MRND (lymph nodes removed) on 10-11. No cancer in lymph nodes - No further treatment recommended at this time. 3.5 years cancer free.
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