MY MOM IS 62 YEARS OLD, 4 MONTHS AGO SHE WAS TOLD SHE HAS ORAL CANCER IN HER MOUTH, STAGE 4. IT STARTED ON HER JAW AND IN 31/2 MONTHS AND AFTER FULL TREATMENT OF RADIATION AND CHEO IT GREW FROM HER JAW TO HER TONGUE AND DOWN HER THROAT. THE ONLY GOOD NEWS WAS THE TUMOR HAD GOTTEN SMALL ENOUGH TO OPERATE. TODAY IS LABOR DAY AND THIS IS HER FIRST DAY BACK HOME.
HER SURGERY WAS 16 HOURS LONG. THEY REMOVED CLOSE TO ALL OF HER TONGUE, MOST OF HER JAW(THE FRONT PART TO BOTH SIDES)LYMPH NODES ON BOTH SIDES OF HER NECK, AND A MUSCLE THAT WENT DOWN THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER NECK. THEY REPLACED HER JAW WITH SOME BONE FROM HER LEFT SIDE OF HER LEG, WHICH THEY ALSO TOOK SOME MUSCLE AND BLOOD VESSLES FROM THAT LEG AS WELL.SKIN FROM THAT LEG AS WELL TO DO A FLAP FOR HER CHAIN.
SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO TALK BEFORE BECAUSE THE TUMOR ON HER TONGUE WAS SO BIG.
THE GOOD THE ABOUT THIS OPERATION WAS SHE HAD THE FEEDING TUBE,TRACH,MED PORT PUT IN AND HER TEETH REMOVED WHEN SHE WAS TOLD THAT SHE HAS ORAL CANCER STAGE4.
SO HERE I AM TAKING CARE OF MY MOTHER WITH A 2 HOUR ROUND TRIP TO SEE HER DR. AND NOT KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN FROM HERE. I HEAR THAT THE % IS NOT TO GOOD IF YOU GET TO A STAGE 4. I ALSO KNOW THAT EVERY PERSON WITH CANCER IS DIFFERENT. I JUST REALLY WANT MY MOM TO BE OUT OF PAIN. SO THAT IS MY STORY AND I HAVE A FEELING THAT I AM GOODING TO BE VERY HAPPY THAT I CAME ACROSS THIS WEB SITE.
ANYONE HAVE ANY WORDS GOOD OR BAD. I WOULD REALLY LOVE TO HEAR BOTH THE GOOD AND BAD.
THANKS FOR LISTING

Stacy, you and your mom have been through a lot and my heart goes out to you both. Your mom is lucky to have such a concerned daughter. You are correct about this site and this forum. You will find much helpful information here.

Joanna

Hi, Two years ago I had Stage 4 cancer, I had about 3 inches of jaw removed, lining of mouth, lymph nodes(a moderate), and a very small piece of tongue. I had the same type of operation, mine failed. If your Mom is home and well, she is lucky because her flap is good. My only problem is because they are still trying to replace my jaw better than it is.The leg is great, after I got stronger I started to walk on it, and it got even stronger. By walk I mean exercise walk, a mile a day or so. It does take awhile to recoup, your bady has been through a lot. Later she will learn to eat again, it will be slow at first but gets better. My tumor was big, but they got it all and I have been cancer free for two years. My Dr. says the longer it's cancer free, the less likely to come back. I hope you consider this the good. She has been through the bad part, each day and week will only get better. Good Luck. gnelson