Hi Glocita - please think of us as your new family. I know I speak for everyone when I say that we're here to help in any way we can. Ask us anything and everything - there are no such thing as dumb questions.

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow.

Good luck with your surgery! I am 25, no risk factors, etc, so I completely understand how you are feeling! I had my surgery 6 1/2 mos ago, then chemo and radiation, and I am back to work and feeling great! I was very scared also, but I got through it and so can you. The surgery was probably the hardest part for me, but you will heal quickly being so young. I was extremely concerned about my speech, but even that got better over time, and my impediment is hardly noticeable (and continually improving). Feel free to reach out to me if you need anything - if you need advice or just want to vent. Hang in there! The days before my surgery were definitely the worst part.

Dear Glocita,

I completely understand your fear and anxiety. I was there a little over a year ago and I did NOT handle it well. Thankfully, I only had to wait 2 weeks before the same exact procedure you will be having tomorrow. It sounds like you are in good hands and you are getting the standard of care for your diagnosis.

Just know that you are NOT alone. I didn't find these forums until I was 4 months post-op and I am so grateful that I did. As some of us say here, there is strength in numbers, and you can lean on us when you need it. We are here for you and will get your through this!

I will be thinking of you tomorrow. Best of luck with your procedure, recovery, and prognosis.

With great care,
Kerri

Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone!! I dont want any part of my tongue to go lol - but I want the cancer gone. It is the left side of my tongue that has the problem - but I mean...it hurts to talk as it is now, so I'm not really sure my speech will sound all that different after it is gone.

I am receiving treatment at Johns Hopkins - which I believe to have experienced surgeons. Its 10pm here on the east coast, and that leaves me with 2 hours left to eat before the surgery.

I guess the hardest part is that my mom and older sister do not want me to go through with the surgery. As they are in denial about me even having cancer - that means I only have the online support here as well as my close friends who all dont know what to say.

Actually my mom keeps crying saying that I will sound different. This is making it so incredibly hard for me. I dont think I will be different - I think I will be better!

But your messages are getting me through this tough time. While I still am terrified, I hope one day I will have the positive outlook about this that you all do!

In good health,
Gloria

Hang in there, girl. You've got this and everything will be ok!

MissB

Good luck with that surgery, it seems those having such surgery on this forum are having good luck with it. I just joined and dropped somehow right into this topic, which is probably appropriate for me too, since I was just diagnosed yesterday with a stage one tumor on the right side of my tongue. I came to this diagnosis through oral surgeons, who want to operate and take about 30% of my tongue and they seem to think reconstructive surgery would be necessary also, so naturally I have a lot of trepidation and questions about all of this. I would also like to get a second opinion, and would like to know if anyone has been treated with a linear accelerator INSTEAD of surgery for such a stage one tongue tumor? From Google-ing around a bit it seems this might have a slightly smaller 5 year survival rate, but I would not have to have an operation on my tongue in this case, I suppose. Anyone have a take on that?

Hi there!! Good luck... If you have a good surgeon (John Hopkins does) the surgery should go well and will do what it's supposed to... I'm sure it's hard for your family but if you listen to them it will give th cancer a chance to spread. When I found out I had tongue cancer I wanted it out - and couldn't wait to have surgery just knowing that they got it all (which is what I was told after the surgery) - made it so I could breathe again. The radiation and chemo was a safety net...
Hugs! You'll get through it.

Gloria,
This surgery is going to save your life. There's no negotiating it...do it and you'll live, don't and you'll die. That 's a hard line to take. You seem to have a positive attitude. You mother and sister will come around and accept things on their own terms. So will you. This is all a grieving process from diagnosis to cure. You are all grieving and will continue to do so. It's totally normal and necessary. That's why it is so important to keep coming back here when you feel up to it. There have been times where I have just needed a mental break from all of this and have abstained from the forums for a short while. But, I am always drawn back here for support and to help others.

Your speech will likely get better over time. I was concerned about that, too. I still have some difficulty, but I can hear it more than others can. I did have some speech therapy after surgery, but that was after quite some time of healing.

Just remember, first things first and you will get through this. Right now, you're most likely a bit loopy and recovering from the procedure! Pain management, rest, and recovery and your priorities now. I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed for clear margins and negative nodes!

Be well,
Kerri

Gloria,

Just to ease your mind a bit, Johns Hopkins is the #1 Ear Nose & Throat program in the U.S. and ranked #3 in Cancer care, you are in the best hands my dear.

I always say, choosing the absolute best medical team available to you gives you the best odds of survival and best shot at good quality of life. After your medical team the only thing you can control is your attitude and nutrition so keep plugging into these boards and let us help you on that end.

Keep your chin up

Eric

Glocita... trust me, these people are the most wonderful,helpful and who really understand what you are going through. Since I found this site, I have better control of life even. And how I think.. everybody has second chance which might be hell better than what we had before...