Sandy, my husband is getting his first radition treatment tomorrow (Thursday) and the Tomo center on Rt. 50. If this is the same place you're going to, we probably have the same Dr. I wish you well.

I have Dr. Tunneson. But there are others.

Hubby had his 3rd of 30 treatments today. He sees Dr. Bajaj. So far little effects.

Sandy-

I'm so glad they are recomending a psychologist.The side effects of these treatments are much harder to deal with than other cancers because it effects your day to day minute to minute interactions with people. I'm hoping that they can treat yours with radiation and chenmo. I know base of tongue tumors respond better than anterior tongue tumors. That is what my team at my CCC said and it is what I've read. If they do have to do the surgery you will get through it. The first 6 months were reallyreally hard but I've since steadily improved everyday with talking and eating. It takes a lot of patience and perseverence but it can be done. People have varying levels of sucess depending on how thier surgery and physical recovery from that and the treatments goes.

Don't think of it as the end- having a drastic surgery such as hthat is very daunting but if your team of Drs. reccomends that it will give you the best odds for a cure you must do it.

Wishing you lots of strength during a very scary difficult time (I know well). I'm so sorry you are having to deal with any of this.

Hoping for the best possible outcome for you!

my speech is pretty good now- best with prosthesis in but I can scoot b without it oo. There are tastebuds all over the oral cavity not just the tongue-- so you will be able to taste food too.





Hang in there....LOVE Kate

Sandy,
It sounds like you're up for the same routine I went through.
We did three rounds of chemo then did TOMO radiation treatments.
Got rid of the BOT cancer but it came back on my Lymph nodes 8 months later and had it removed. Day at a time, try to be as positive about it as you can and it will be over before you know it. The group here helped me alot with feeding through my tube and eating again afterwards. Do you have many fillings in your teeth?? I do and the radiation really burnt my tongue...I got some of the little cotton rolls the my dentist uses, stacked two on top of each other and wrapped them with a piece of tape and made like a bite-wing. Put them inside between my tongue and jaw on each side and it really helped to keep it from getting burnt again.

Gary: Thank you for your reply. Yes, I have metal filling. Seen oncologist dentist. Thank for info.

Yes, I'll be doing the same regimen. T3, but so far no clear node activity. Could do chemo/rad, but want to take more aggressive approach as cancer is in BOT.

Probably will start Monday. Thanks for your concern.

Thanks to everyone who replied. I will keep you posted. Probably will start chemo on Monday 2/16. So far I'm in good spirts and determined. I'm praying that I can keep this positive work like hell approach until the end.

Thanks everyone.

Sandy, I used to love in Herndon VA. It's so nice in that area. My diagnosis is a bit different than yours but I know this disease is so hard. I would highly recomend seeing a therapist or someone similar. I see a therapist and it has been so helpful. Good luck to you on Monday. Let us know how you make out.

Suzanne