Hi. My dad had tongue cancer with successful tumor removal after a 13 hour surgery in mid-June '04. He's on a feeding tube, which is supposed to be temporary until he can eat again. It's been three months and still has trouble eating just jello. The biggest issues now are two: dry mouth from the radiation and regular nausea/vomiting. The vomiting gets him really weak, and he doesn't feel like eating. That's normal, I think, but he can't get the tube out until he can eat by mouth. We're trying our best to keep spirits up, but it's difficult when you're flying blind and don't know what's normal, what's not, how long conditions will last, etc. Sound familiar to anyone?

Hi Bob, Welcome to the site. I am so sorry to hear this about your dad. I am glad that you have found us, maybe we can shed some light on this for you. I had the surgery in Feb. 2004. I am also on a feeding tube. I cannot swallow anything. How much of the tongue did they remove? I am also still on the trache. Tell him that he is better off than some of us are. Tell him also to not give up. They feeding tube isn't that bad, at least it isn't for me. Of course without it I would die. It doesn't hurt me at all, it shouldn't hurt him either. As for food, it just takes time. The sick feeling with the radiation, well with me, the more I ate the better I handled the radiation. Sounds crazy but it is true. I had radiation before I had surgery. This is my 3rd time with this monster. I would drink a lot of water too. As for his dry mouth. That is the worst, there is a drug called Salagen . It is a pill that helps with salvia. I took it for about a year. It really helped me alot. Ask his doctor about aomething to help with this. I hope that this helps you in some way. Other than that just be there for him. Please keep us posted on how he is doing and you as well. This doesn't just hit the person, oh no, it takes the family and the friends too. I will be praying, Always Vicki Lynn

Thank you Vicki. My dad was supposed to have his entire tongue removed, but our prayers were answered when the doctor told us he was able to inject novocaine into the tumor, which got it to shrink somewhat and remove just it rather than the whole tongue. The tumor was about the size of a golf ball. It was at the base of his tongue. His trach came out after about four days, so he can talk and breathe fine. He's half way through his radiation, and starting today they're going to lessen the dosage given. Hope that helps! Also, the doctor thinks what he's vomiting is bile and phlegm. I know, pretty disgusting. They're giving him a medicine to help his bowels work more efficiently, and the hope is that will cut down or eliminate the vomiting. He really hates the feeding tube but knows it's only temporary. His doctors say he could be eating normally again by Christmas time, but never having gone through something like this, he's rightfully scared. Thank you for your insight. We'll pray for you, too!

OH Bob that is awsume news to hear. Your Father is a very very lucky man. I am so happy that he didn't lose his tongue to this. I know all about the bowels, just please make sure that he does go to the bathroom, I cannot stress enough about getting your bowels impacted. I tell you if you have never had this happen, you never want it too. I wanted to die, I mean I prayed to die. I have never in my LIFE ever done that. But when I was impacted, Oh My GOD. That was the worst night of my life. I will never forget it. There is so much out there, make sure that he stays on top of this. People think because they don't eat solid foods that they won't have anything in the bowels, trust me, you do. That is great about the trache. He should be eating by Christmas..I am so happy for your entire family. What he is going thru is awful and probably the worst he could ever imagine, please do not take this wrong, but it could have been so so much worse, I am living proof of that. Tell your Father that I am praying for him to be strong and for a fast recovery to all this. I also thank the LORD that he was spared what some of us have been thru and and are going thru. I don't think that Luck is the proper word for this. It is so nice to hear some GREAT news on here. God bless you Bob and your family, From my heart to yours, ALways Vicki Lynn

Vicki,

Boy, I never thought of my dad's case as being one of the better ones. I'm very grateful how he's doing, knowing it could have been so much worse. No matter how difficult it is, it's still better he's still with us! I think the same can be said for everyone in this same boat. Thank you again for your insight and concern. I'm going to see how this whole thing plays out and check in later. Thank you again for answering my note. You're a God send! God bless you and your recovery!

Bob

Oh Bob, I must appologize, I did not mean for that to sound that way...Lord please believe me. This is a horrible nasty disease. No matter how anyone looks at it. I would never make light of this in any way. What your Father is going thru is traggic and horrible. It is a lot for anyone that has traveled this road. Just hearing the word CANCER is horrible. With that said, I just wanted him to know that I am so gratful that it wasn't as sever as some have been. Lord I never meant for it to sound anything other than that. Please do not take this in a bad way. For that was not ever my intent....Vicki

Vicki,

No worries. I took it exactly as you meant it...it could have been alot worse. It never struck me as """making light""" of the situation. Believe me, no harm intended from you, no harm done on me! Smile, we're all alive and getting better! This is one of the downfalls of writing...you can't hear inflection or see body language. You have, indeed, been very helpful. Thank you.

Bob

Oh thank the LORD above, I was so upset. Thought I had said that all wrong,,so happy that it was allright. Hey we have enough to deal with, without me saying the wrong thing. You take care of yourself. Hug your dad, let him know that there are people on here that are pulling and praying for him, okay. He is never alone..Thank you BOB ..Vicki

Hello Bob

Sorry to hear about your Dad. You will find some of the answers to your questions in my reply to John (lizd).

You will find the links given in PATIENT'S GUIDE > COMPLICATIONS useful. You can also access past advice in the postings on this board - please use the 'search' function to scan each sub-section.

You will also find some first hand information by reading Prof Upton's journal of his cancer experience.

Best wishes
Vinod :coffee: