I just found this site today while searching the internet for anything information to help me. Fight my fear give me strength. You are in shocked when your are given the DX. I was in surgery within a week of my DX. which was on Oct 17th 2007. I came out of my very well. 1/4 of my tongue and 14 lymph nodes were taken. But 5 of the 14 nodes were positive and 1 was stage 4. At this time I am able to talk and eat and a scar on the side of my neck. But, it has only just begun. I am 43 non smoker with a loving and caring husband. My son is 22 and lives on his own. I start my Chemo and Radiation in Mid November after I heal from my surgery. I am waiting to hear on my dental issues. I have had dental problems all my life so I think next week I will lose all my teeth. How do you and your family get through this ???

Tammy, welcome! You've come to the best place!
You must still be in shock, and and as I'm sure people here will tell you, your journey has 'only just begun' and there are hard times ahead.

BUT!

Read the wonderful support/advice posts from people in exactly in your position, encourage your family to read too. You have a caring family, you have got the surgery out of the way, so you are already 'on the way to recovery' which is marvellous, and keep that thought close to you when times get tough over the next few months.
We're all here to help you and there are many knowlageable people here who will advise you the benefit of their experiences and help you realise you are not alone in this.
Take care Tammy, Brenda

Brenda thanks for quick reply. I have been sitting here reading through all the forums and can't believe I am not alone. You can feel sorry for yourself then you read about what someone else is going through something beyond your treatment or DX and even worst. I forget about myself and fill my heart pour out to them.

Tammy, hi! We can promise that as long as you need to talk, ask questions, or seek support along this journey, there will be people here to prop you and your family up. Brian Hill and his team have given us all the gift of being able to communicate and share accurate and helpful information while fighting this disease. So as you go forward, you don't have to be alone. You may have some serious issues to deal with during the rest of your treatment, so stick with us and hopefully get your hubby on this site also. Amy in the Ozarks

Hi Tammy and welcome to OCF! We look forward to helping you get through this time...Read and feel free to ask questions. There's always someone who has had similiar experiences and will be glad to try to guide you...Keep us updated as to your progress!

Lois & Buzz in NC

Hi Tammy and welcome to OCF. I too had tongue cancer stage 4. My wife was and still is my biggest supporter and she is also my hero. The road ahead is tough but its not as long as you may think it is. We are all here for you and your loved ones also. Please feel free to ask anything you heart desires and remember the only dumb question is the one that you dont ask.

Billy

I am so greatful for the support I have already received. I have been on here for one day and no longer feel alone but still afraid. Thank you so much !

Tammy -- We are all here to help. I had Stage IV tongue cancer, bilateral neck dissection for positive nodes, 39 readiation, 8 weeks chemo.

You get through this the same way you get through anything -- one day, one step, one minute at a time. Pretty soon those minutes, steps and days add up, and you are done! The pain comes and goes, and sure there are side effects and discomfort and anxiety, but the folks here really help.

I am cancer free today, and that is a joy. Don't know what tomorrow will bring, but today was great, and I am only 15 weeks out from the end of treatment.

Ask lots of questions, do exactly what the doctors say, and you will get through this.

Tammy, I'm with you I just found this site too and I think it is great. I wished I had found it earlier. Things will likely be hard at times but you found friends and I know I would not have made it without mine.

Tammy,
Welcome and sorry you have to be here.

Please, Please make sure that all of your teeth need to be pulled. Go to a dentist that KNOWS cancer and the effects of radiation. Some dentists pull teeth that don't need to be pulled. Saving some of your teeth is the best thing that could happen.

Take care,
Minnie

What great support there is on this site! My fear is the sores in my mouth/throat and if the skin on my scar in the heck area becomes sore and raw. Any advice to get me prepared?

Tammy, there are some very good skin creams for keeping the neck [radiated] areas in good shape. You need to ask your RAD Doc SPECIFICALLY what he recommends you use and you should be able to find lots of good advice here [I hope] by searching radiatiated skin care. Advice we got was: Always go in for the rad tx. with clean skin. Use Aquaphore immediately after a rad tx.,Alovera is also a good skin conditioner [ask your Doc or nurse] Never rub, always pat your skin dry after a shower, drink as much water as possible every day. Remember, your skin is getting burned and must be treated acordingly. As to the "mouth and throat sores issue" , chances are you will have to deal with them. AGAIN, be proactive, ask ahead for meds. to have at home when they crop up. Always tell the Rad Doc or nurse when you start to have any sores. GEt your husband involved with being very educated and proactive about these things also. The better informed and vocal you both are - the better response you will get from your medical team in most instances. To be "prepared for radiation", I would ask for a script- open dated- to be filed the 1st time thrush or mucositis showed up. And I would ask for an open dated script for pain meds after ratiation starts. And I would insist on having a peg tube- I don't see that in your post anywhere.
Please remember, almost all of the people you are talking to on OCF are survivors- keep that in mind as you go forward. Amy in the Ozarks