Hi, my husband was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue on 1/10/2001. We were devasted, for a couple of weeks we just sat at the kitchen table, looked at each other, and cried. He had the biopsy, then surgery, had all his teeth removed, and then had 37 radiation treatments. He was a heavy smoker and drinker before his diagnosis. He is doing very well now, and has not smoked at all since his treatments, and has only had a few beers. Nothing like what he used to do. He is happy to be alive every day.
He has trouble with the dry mouth still, he had the salivary glands and 17 lymph nodes removed on that side as well as about half of his tongue lengthwise, and the radiation took care of the rest of the salivary glands. We were living in the Atlanta area when we went through this, but are now in south Texas. He had excellent care from his team of doctors, but I was laid off and lost our insurance coverage. We came to Texas for a job, but there is no insurance still. He is 53, I am 50. I am glad I found this board, because I still worry about him. We are coming up on his two year survivor mark soon. I guess the fear and worry never go away. But, we don't cry anymore, we enjoy each day we have together.
I would like to correspond with someone who has a couple of years behind them like we do so I can find out if certain things he is experiencing are "normal" (if anything in cancer is normal) two years down the road.

Hi Karen and welcome,

There are a couple of people on this board from Texas. I'm in San Antonio. I had surgery and finished radiation on Jan. 25th of last year. But they found in September my cancer had spread to my liver. I was lucky enough to get in an investigational trial. So, I can't help alot on chemo questions. Still going through it.
Any questions that you might have about after effects of radiation and surgery there are a bunch of people on this board that are survivors and caregivers, someone usually has been there and has the t-shirt.
Since everyone is different you will get some different answers, but that is even more helpful to more people. Feel free to ask away.
And welcome to Texas.

Take care,
Dinah

As with Dinah, I am pleased to answer any questions that you have. I am almost 5 years out from surgery and radiation, with the usual residual effects from each. There are many regular posters here that are in the same "survivor" boat, and I am sure that all will chip in with their answers when you ask them. This is a great bunch of people.

Hi Karen, We seem to have a lot in common. My husband (John) also has squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue (stage 3). He was just diagnosed with this in mid August of 2002. I had my suspicions that this was cancer - because of all the research I did on the web all seemed to point to the dreaded "c" word. In a way, I am glad I did this research because it did help prepare me when I got the news, although shock still managed to set in. I can't even count how many times I cried when I was alone, and how hard it was (and sometimes still is) to keep up a "happy" appearance at work and around family, etc. My husband has not had any surgery yet, although this was the plotted course of action. I'm so scared of this surgery (Neck Dissection). It just sounds so horrendous - and I have no idea what to expect. I'm still traumatized by all the side effects of the radiation he had! I wish I could offer people more helpful information/advice - but my hubby and I are "newbies" that are just in the beginning stages of this battle. But know I am here - all of us - if you need a "shoulder" to cry on or if you have any questions, or just need an outlet - as we all do many times over!