hello again, on tue december 7 my day had that 10-12 hr surgery which consisted of removal of floor of mouth, more on left side, radical neck dissection and 2/3 of tongue removed.. took stomach muscle (six pack) to use over plate in lower jaw which was also removed.. they told us "clear margins"... i am a little unclear exactly what that means, can someone explain that to me in terms other than medical! haha..flap has a great pulse, and he is slowly coming along.. ENT said that the cancer had itself wrapped around the nerves under dad's tongue.. wow! he has already had the chemo/radiation..so i pray that this horrible demon will stay gone!


any words to give dad once he can understand me a bit more?

Woohoo!!! Clear margins is great. That means they got all of the cancer plus usually up to 5cm more of cancer free cells. Just tell your dad that alone and he will be happy.

yay ! thank you Susan!! had to get some good news out of the last 3 horrific days.. ugh.. of course the ENt always has to remind you how it can reoccur.. lymphnodes looked good but still have to get pathology report back.. i just want to know that him doing the treatments first was the right thing to do.. eeek..

Yes. I know those horrific days post surgery walking into ICU was not easy. My sister healed much faster from surgery then she did the rads but she did rada after. Things will get better quick. You can't think about reoccurrence you will go crazy!! Good to hear surgery went well. Let the healing begin.

back in february, the beginning of this nightmare the ENT and oncologist said he had two options, (a) removal of entire tongue, jaw and voicebox or (b) treatment first with radiation and chemo, which was a lot!.. so of course we went with (b).. i just pray that it was the right way to go... the doctors themselves said that they would not start off with the surgery.... but its like you just dont know.. :-(

how is your sister doing? i hope well!

Hi Susan,
this is jennifer.
How is your sister doing?
My mom has been on Erbutax + Rads for the past 4 weeks.

Can we talk on the phone if you like?

Jennifer

Febuary. That's awhile. My sister had symptoms at my wedding last October. Went to many dr's that gave antibiotics for the "ulcer" on her tongue. She was finally diagnosed in April. Surgery was June and Radiation was August. She healed from surgery pretty quickly. The radiation healing is taking a long time!!! It's sad sometimes when you realize the difference in the way your family member is now but if you dwell on that you will not enjoy the time you are givin back by all this treatment.
I know what your going through with the questions on treatment. I mean who wouldn't with what your dad is going through right now. It's tough to see someone you love so much hurt the way they do. It does get better!!
Jennifer- I sent you a PM with my number. Sure you can call me. Hope your mom is doing well. She may be feeling the effects of radiation now bu it does go away after. You just have to be there to push her right now.

well he had a "toothache" in september of last year.. then the pain started going up the left side of his neck, he was treated for sinus infection and sent home with antibiotics.. it wasn't until january when the pain got so bad he went back in and they sent him to an ENT.. it is a horrible thing to watch.. i guess you just adjust to the new "normal".. im grateful for each and everyday he is here.. he is fighting so hard.. as im sure your sister is..42 is young..

well we finally got good news today.. samples set off to pathology and removed nodes came back clear.. its exciting but as you all know its hard to get excited sometimes.. i am grateful and thank God for this news.. although the ENT said it doesnt really change anything BUT its good news.. just thought id share this news!

Great news!!! That is a big thing!! Very glad. It seems like your in a tunnel for the first few weeks after surgery with the shock but once your dad starts feeling better so will you. Yes she is young my sister just goes to show that cancer doesn't discriminate. It's been a wake up call for me also.