Sorry for the misinformation, I assumed the cancer is in the base of the tongue, but we will see his oncologist surgeon tomorrow and he will tell us exactly what is going on. The last appointment we had with him was to talk about the PET results and he said he would tell us more after an MRI. Tomorrow he will be discussing with us what is going on and what he saw in the MRI and the location, etc.

Today we visited his plastic surgeon who told us he will be reconstructing his tongue. He explained the procedure to us.

I made sure and I told my dad we can't let him postpone anything. He is so afraid because all this is very hard for him. I hope he can find the strength to get through this.

xoxo

If it is his oral tongue that is being grafted - not his base of tongue - then his speech may be affected a little (at first a lot) because it's very swollen. Post op But it does get better - my tongue was getting better then I had radiation and chemo - so now it's swollen again. But my speech gets clearer daily. Just a few of my letters are a little funny still. And my voice is a little deeper but I can speak and I think they removed a 3rd of my tongue - there are people here who've had their entire tongue replaced and can still speak.. Everyone is different- tell your dad to do the surgery because you want him around for as Long as possible. The rest you will deal with. Hugs!!

I just finished printing all the replies from my posts for him to read. Thank you!

His cancer is in the right side of the tongue and jaw now. I saw his new lump and blister on the back of his mouth, in the wisdome teeth area. The doctor confirmed it was the cancer.

Scary for all of us... But I can encourage him thanks to all of you.

I will start a new threat in the Currently in Treatment page. It is an advanced cancer, he will have a neck dissection, removal of as much as they need from his tongue, reconstruction using free tissue transfer and microvascular surgery, a mandibulectomy: immediate mandible reconstruction with fibula free flap, radio and chemo.

Please keep us in your prayers.

XOXO <3

Stay positive and strong! Think the best until you hear the worst, that is my motto. If they still can opperate and fix it than that is good! Like I told Ron, until you hear those words "terminal" than you go on living! And we have not heard those words dammit so LIVE! Print off some survivor stories and let him read how they felt and went through tough surgeries and how they are happy to be alive after all they have gone thru. I'm hoping Ron will read the ones I printed off and set downstairs for him where he sits and watches TV. He hasn't been down there since I did that, he's been outside doing odds and ends, he seems a bit more happy today or more relaxed, I'm sure he's not happy bout the news but I think maybe he is realizing how important it is to fight this and to live. It's going to be rough, we made it through 1 we can do it again together! Never give up!

Thank you

Will stay positive and strong!

I just gave my dad the printouts from yesterday and he said thank you and asked me to you ask if anyone ever felt some tingling in the tongue and also in under the jaw, where the lower mandible and the neck meet. ?

The doctor and nurse said that everything he feels is related to the tumor. But it would help him to cope if he reads someone else has been through thisor had this sensation and that it will be okay like the doctors say.

I will print the new posts too.

Suez,
I am happy Ron seems more happy and relaxed. It feel great to see them doing better, even if it is only a little bit, it is always great news.

Will never give up

I have tugging in my tongue - the new part - and old - but I'm told it's normal as it's still healing - and getting some sensation back - tell you dad good luck... We're all pulling for him. And @suez glad he seems to be coming around maybe it was the initial shock? Hugs to you both!!!

benfry, so sorry to hear about your dad.. my dad also was diagnosed with floor of mouth and tongue cancer, it didn't get to his jaw, but they took it anyways.. because as they explained it was "knocking at the door".. they also removed lymphnodes on both sides.. reconstructed with fibula which was used as his floor of the mouth.. i will not lie to you it is extremely emotional and a long road ahead, BUT i look at it as they are still here with us fighting, and we will stand by them.. please keep us posted.. in my thoughts and prayers always..
please feel free to private message me with any questions..
prayers out to you..
nicki