Hi Everyone,

I recently came across this group per the suggestion of a co-worker as recently I was diagnosed with stage II squamous cell carcinoma on my tongue. I first had a biopsy performed back in 2006 and the results came back negative - just scar tissue and since then my tongue never felt normal - eating spicy food was hard the entire time! Recently my tongue was hurting so badly that I went back for another biopsy (not because any dentist told me to, but because I couldn't take the pain anymore).

Then I was delivered with the most unexpected results I would ever think of. Stage II cancer. Not a high risk of HPV, never smoked 1 cigarette a day in my life and only drink on social occasions.

I am scheduled for surgery next Tuesday where they are going to remove a portion of my tongue and the lymph nodes from 4 sections in my neck. I am so scared! But I can only put faith in that after I have the surgery I will feel better with the cancer out of my body.

No one in my family has had cancer so I am all alone with this diagnosis and really appreciate all the support I can get!

Hi,
Welcome to our group. So glad you found us; so sorry you had to. Three years ago yesterday I was diagnosed with stage IV oral cancer which began on my tongue, and went into my lymph nodes. I had surgery to remove part of my tongue, about 30 lymph nodes, and spent most of the summer of 2009 with radiation and chemo. It was very rough but after 6 clear scans, I am still here. Woo Hoo! I wish that I had found this site when I was first diagnosed but didn't discover it until my treatments were completed. You will find a whole new family here. These are the most supportive, informed people that you would ever want to know. Good luck on your journey. I was also a nonsmoker, a social drinker, and was negative for HPV.

Welcome to OCF! Im so glad your co-worker steered you to this site! Im sure you will find it very helpful with providing you lots of info and support. You are not alone anymore, you have all of OCF's members who will be here to support you. There are quite a few younger people here who have no known cause but still undergone oral cancer and treatments for it.

You didnt mention where on your tongue the cancer was located. Anyone who has HPV+ oral cancer has slightly better odds for treatment and less of a chance of a recurrence. HPV is so prevalent that its very difficult to rule it out without having the tissue tested for it. There is still so much info to be learned about this disease and how its transferred and why in some people it will cause cancers while others clear it from their bodies without incidence.

Wishing you all the very best with your upcoming surgery!

Sorry you had to be part of this club......but OH SO GLAD you found this group. You will get so much support and caring here...You hit the jackpot getting here before you start treatment...lots of information and "tips and tricks" to get thru it.

p

Glad you found us my dear, sorry you had to.

Let me assure you that you are in the right place for advice and support. Don't let the fear take over, this disease is quite treatable when caught early. Keep your head about you, keep plugging into the survivors on this site and you'll do fine.


We're here as you need.


Eric

Hi there - try not to freak out too badly we've ll been there in some form or another in this group - your story is very similar to mine, I finished rads and chemo a year ago may 4th. The surgery isn't too bad... It's very involved but you'll heal up - not sure where your being treated but hopefully it's a good hospital with experienced surgeons. best of luck with the surgery - do yourself a favor and bring something to write or type on - you'll need it to communicate with for a few days... Let us know how it goes... Hugs - you'll get through this.

If you have any questions or need anyone to talk to please feel free to PM me. I'm also 26 (25 at diagnosis). SCC on tongue, also never smoked a cigarette a day in my life, occasional alcohol use and no cancer in my family either. I was a stage 4 HPV- and had a hemiglossectomy and modified radical neck dissection. The best thing I ever did was join this message board. You've got a lot of support here.

MissB

Glocita,

Sorry to have you join us but we will be here for you 24/7.

Glocita - we are all with you in this and wishing the very best results for your surgery tomorrow. My son also had stage 2 - consisting of a very painful area under his tongue which is what prompted him to see a dentist and then oral surgeon. We also found out about OCF from a chance meeting with another patient while under Rad Tx. How nice of your co-worker to lead you to this forum. It really is the very best place to be for all the latest info and compassionate help from everyone. Let us know whenever you can how everything goes tomorrow. Sending positive vibes your way.

Glocita: Welcome and good luck with your surgery tomorrow. I had 75% of my tongue replaced with muscle,artery, etc. from my forearm and I am here as proof that you can and WILL get thru this. It is doable--not a picnic, but very doable. Come here for support-these are some of the best people I have ever met in my life and so willing to help. We have all been thru the journey that you are just starting and will be here to push you up the hill so you can come sailing down the other side. Sending you positive vibes for a successful surgery...Let us know how you are doing when you feel up to it.