Wow....

There are some of us here who have had the entire tongue removed.
Life goes on pretty well, all things considering and is preferential to the alternative .
Tammy

Hi Tammy,
Your post is somewhat heartening.

The unknown: it's hard to think of how life could be without a tongue.
* suppose no talk
* breathing?
* eating via GTube?
* cleanliness of mouth?
* teeth?
* mouth at-rest
* seems suction is a "natural" at-rest; no suction?
The mind considering / *pulling* towards suicide is in itself frightening and astoundingly painfully saddening.

Finished 1st new chemo round early yesterday and doc said appointment in 2 weeks; Yikes, I'm not eating and confused with various mouth sorenesses and pain.
How do I survive the 2 weeks and if there is still pain, how much does that point to surgery or just stopping all this.
Clearly, I'm frightened - anxious - trying to predict.

Thanks everyone, sorry for the negativity.

Walt, you are among friends here. Its ok to be afraid, to vent, rant and blow off steam. We will listen and do our best to come up with tips and ideas to encourage you.

So sorry you are going thru so much!!!!

Wondering if you are able to check out working with a therapist. That may help you to find a way to consider having a promising future even if you do face some limitations.

I know all too well how difficult it is living with a handicap. Mine is very visible. I have become severely disfigured due to going thru oral cancer 3 times, the last one was what did me in. Life is much different for me than from how I lived prior to getting cancer. To be honest with you, in alot of ways my life is much more meaningful now. I spend a couple hours a day helping others which also helps me by taking my mind off my own problems. Ive learned to adapt to my issues and live with them. Eventually you will adapt also. I know its not easy but you can adjust to your new life and still make a decent life for yourself.

Hang in there Walt!!!!

Thanks Christine!

Currently hardly eating or drinking.

Mouth sore. Burns, hard to swallow.

Did Cream of Wheat in hospital.

Hi- I don't have a tongue and life is till very good. You can live without it and it will be OK. You will adapt. Feel free to ask me anything...

Miss kate's awesome as are any of the survivors here who've had extensive eps surgery.

Miss Kate, thanks for the encouragement.

Found a very complete *Tongue* web site that is dental based:

Search this link:
http://www.rdhmag.com/articles/print/volume-24/issue-8/feature/the-tongue.html
for: "Life without a tongue".

Quit descriptive and it sounds like very current description of the State of the Art.

Is it possible that the world of Dental Work has a functional edge on addressing this problem?
Also, I have a link to a University doctor who sounds to have developed a significant grafting/fabrication technique. I'll add a link to that later.

[quote=misskate]Hi- I don't have a tongue and life is till very good. You can live without it and it will be OK. You will adapt. Feel free to ask me anything... [/quote]
Not sure what to ask.
Sounds like no meals, no talk, no social.
What's left? Typing, I guess.
What about breathing?
What about resting?
What about transplant?
Anyone doing Stem cell research?

Walt you are getting ahead of yourself. Seems like you are worrying about a procedure that may not even have to be done. But , should you need a total glossectomy plus or minus whatever ( depends on where the tumour extends too, or not ), you will be ok.
If you only have a total glossectomy you will breathe in the normal way same as everybody else.
Kris eats, well swallows liquids.
He has major dental issues post rads and trismus, but that is improving.
There are good apps you can download onto an IPad that will speak what you type. ( Speakit app ).This is a tad slow but is ok. You should be able to talk with the help of a speech therapist . Try holding your tongue still and talking. It is quite intelligible..
Honestly try not to worry about things that may not happen.
If they do, I can honestly say life is still great and well worth living.
Thinking of you,
Tammy