No, thank goodness, it is the front - it runs along the left side of the front.

I've had 3 opinions, all saying the same thing. We have a similar institution here (the Cross Cancer Institute), which is the best in Canada - I'm lucky in that regard.

I got some painkillers today to help with the eating, so fingers crossed. If it works (I've taken the first pill and hoping it kicks in), I am eating a steak, and a giant salad with crunchy veg!

I would go ahead and get the ND. I was treated to the primary tumor with radiation only. My recurrence was in a lymph node in my neck even though they hit those with radiation also. The only way you can be sure you will not get a recurrence in your lymph nodes is to remove them. This is a very well-known procedure and is well tolerated so I see no reason not to get that done.

Thanks for all the advice and support. Sadly, I did not get my surgery date...still waiting, which I think is the hardest part. I'm not the most patient person on the planet. I think when this is all over I will have learned that trait, lol.

I am gratefult to have found this site.

Tina, I'm in a similar situation, impatiently awaiting a surgery date. However, my tumor is small so I'm eating like crazy and have gained some weight. I was already overweight but I've learned when it comes to cancer, extra is a good. I hope the pain meds worked and you were able to enjoy steak and crunchy veg! Best of luck to you!

Hi there... her surgery sounds a lot like it's oral tongue not base of tongue, especially based on treatment. If so it's likely not HPV related though one never knows - stranger things have happened.

Treatment sucks BIG TIME, more so than the surgery. The surgery is nothing - really I was on a beach two and a half weeks post op. I looked like I'd been hit by a truck but there was little pain. The problem with a neck dissection (bilateral) is that you will have some weakness in your shoulders and arms and numbness and tightness in your neck, jaw and ear - for a bit. It never truly goes away but it does improve - I had physio and did the exercises while I was walking my dog. You should recover fairly quickly from the surgery - then radiation slaps you back down ;o(

You will get there though... stay strong.

No steak for me, but I managed half a sandwich and some soup, which is a huge step up from smoothies and ensure (whoever created that stuff must never have drank it, and should be shot on sight).

I have a few extra pounds (less now than a month ago, but still a few to spare), so that's good, and I'm trying to keep it there. If someone had ever told me I'd be trying to gain weight, I'd have told them they were nuts! Oh, the irony.

Thank you for the post-op info Cheryl. I was hoping the period between would be decent - I'm not much for laying in bed, and am generally irritated that I am supposed to be in hospital for 2 weeks. Afraid my brain will rot...

I donated a kidney to my dad about 10 years ago, and they told me I'd be off work for 6 weeks. I was back in 6 days, so I am hoping for similar surgery recovery.

My sign is Taurus, born in the year of the ox, and my mother is scottish, so I am the most stubborn woman on the planet. This is a bump in the road, and damn sure won't get the better of me!

I'm a taurus too (libra rising I'm told) what province are you in? I hear you on the recovery I was itching to get out they told me ten days to two weeks. I was out in 10 and eating normally by week 3. If you are getting a Trache that's the worst part. See if they'll give you a fenestrated trache if they can because the other one sucks! Good luck!

I'm in Alberta (Edmonton). Yep, getting the trache - they said probably about 5 days. I'll look into the details about what kind. There is so much info to absorb...I should have paid more attention in anatomy class.

Still waiting on the surgery date, arghhhh.

Glad to hear about the eating and release. They'll regret getting me to talk, as I will be bugging them to let me out!

I'm heading to TO this weekend for the Jays/Yankees series - any recommended good restaurants? I don't care how much it hurts!

Welcome to the forum. Hopefully you will get your surgery date soon, but in the meantime you are doing the right things - keeping busy. In the couple of weeks between dx and surgery, I went to Florida!

Hope the Jays beat those "damn Yankees".

Donna
(Winnipeg, Manitoba)

Thanks Donna - I'm a transplanted 'Pegger living Alberta (my family is still there), but Winnipeg will always be home. Too bad the Blue and Gold are so bad this year, but I love 'em anyway!

I see you have gone through this twice - how did you find the process?