hi there i was wondering if you could help me. My has been diagnosed with tongue cancer. She has just been for full body MRI and CAT scans gets the results next week.
She has been told she needs to have part of her tongue cut out and replaced with skin from her arm. I was wondering if anyone else has had this and how long the operation took and what the after effects were like. She has been told she will probably get the op before christmas.

Hello Moomen
Well everyone recovers from surgery differently. My father had this procedure and after seeing him I wasnt prepared as I should of been. He had a trach put in and was in the hospital for 4-8 weeks including rehab time. He can no longer eat any solid foods everything must be pureed.. he can no longer have a drink or any of his favorite foods. He got very depressed about everything. He went for more chemo and to no avail the cancer is still there. My dad sometimes regret doing the surgery b/c right now the way he is "living" is no way of life. I am not saying this to scare but to let you know the other side of. There are others who live a pretty normal life and are cancer free. Its a horrible diease. My dad is no under going experimental treatment. The last round of chemo knocked him for a loop. All he does is sleep. With the surgery its very painful. He had to learn to speak all over again. Keep in mind her voice will never be the same sometimes its hard to understand. My dad was an advid tennis player.. not anymore. My dad did heal well though as far as scarring but the guy I knew is no longer there. It does a job on all. I pray that you go thru the opposite and that everything works out. ITs a long haul its almost been a year since my dads surgery. Good luck and may God be with you

Sorry to hear about your problems, I went though a very similar operation just over twelve months ago and I know every body is different but I came though the operation and treatment very well, I was in hospital for about 3 weeks but could have been out in 2 but for a small complication. I found the eating to be very difficult and took months to improve, but slowly it did. Now just 12 months further on a feel almost back to normal, eating is still a little bit difficult but I just have had to alter my diet, more food in sauces plenty of gravy and mashed potatoes and vegetables and fruit. I have to say that I eat far healthier and feel much better because of it.

My advice is to stay positive and do what the doctors say, this is what I did and seemed to work.


I have a web site www.johnmcvey.co.uk which gives a story about my treatment, but just remember everyone is different my tumor was quite large and I had secondary spread in my neck.

If I can help in anyway let me know

Thanks


John

Im glad you got thru it with sucess.. My dad has not.. None of the treatments are working the cancer is still in his body.. He wants to be admitted to the hospital.. If you knew my dad he hates them.. I hate to say this but I just wish God would take him so he wouldnt suffer anymore or my mother.. This is no way of life for anyone..

I know everyone is different at least you got thru it and I am happy that you did.. and I am sure your family is as well..

Hi - I have just logged on two days after returning from hospital following surgery to remove the left side of my tongue. I had the op two weeks ago today and have been home now for two days. I feel much better then I expected and hope this will be the same for your loved one. I have had my tongue reconstructed using tissue from my arm and that has in turn been covered by skin from my thigh. I also had lymph nodes on both sides removed and a feeding tube inserted into my stomach, which was used for the first few post op days, but I can now drink and eat very soft pureed foods. I had a tracheotomy (SP?) which was removed last week and is now healing well. To be honest the first few days after the op I did feel emotional and helpless, but this soon passed as I was allowed out of bed! I am 36 and if you had told me two months ago what lay ahead I could not have imagined coping, but with the excellent medical care I received and the support of my friends and family, I have coped and am relieved that this first major hurdle is out of the way. I know, of coourse that much still lies ahead but one step at a time for all of us. I wish you all that you wish yourself.