Hi - just over 2 weeks ago I had surgery to remove a squamous cell carcinoma on the right side of my tongue, and some nodes removed from the right side of my neck. I had the "ulcer" for about 8 weeks before beng disgnosed - is this quick diagnosis??? My surgery was delayed for 3 weeks while I went on a once in a lifetime holiday to China - I got home at 11am and was in hospital by 2pm the same day! The surgery was over by 4pm the next day. I am waiting now to hear whether I will need radiotherapy. Meanwhile, my mouth is droopy and I wonder if I should be doing some exercises to improve it. I have decided my lisp can be a sexy attraction, so am not too worried about that. Is there anyone out there who is in my position, or further down the line? All contact welcome.
Regards, Ali

Ali

Welcome to the forum.

I am not a medical expert but would say that in the scheme of things they have acted fairly quickly. I was detected with SCC in May after a 6 week investigation.

I have had a radical neck disection removing 32 lympg glands, 33 fractions of RT and 2 of chemo for a T1N2/3 left tonsil which was removed. The surgery left my shoulder and face muscles weak and my speech with a lisp but I was given some basic exercises now and I only just look like Geoff Boycott when I speak. RT brought the lisp back but now im 95% happy with my speech.

If your hospital has a specialist head and neck nurse or speech therapist just ask and they can provide you with advice and exercises.

I am now 4 weeks out of RT and progressing well please ask away and see if I can help with advice.

Hello Alison

Welcome. You will find someone here with an answer to your questions, or just to to chat with about your problems. Do use the search function (under the Find menu) to look up past discussion of issues (but remember to uncheck the 'search only current forum' box!) that are of interest to you.

Best wishes
Vinod

Thanks for your reply Nigel. I have plucked up courage and phoned the MacMillan nurse assigned to me about my 'droop'and it seems, because I can puff both cheeks out, the nerve is stretched and will recover on its own, given time. Glad to hear you are progressing well.

Hello Alison, well after my two ops, I looked like a major stroke victim, lop sided, without the dribble, this all takes time to heal, and you have to work in front of the looking glass, " Mirror Mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all" well it wasn't me for a long time, but practice will get your there, I was told I wouldn't talk and loads of negative stuff, but proved them wrong, just for the hell of it; 18 months on we are getting there; so do work hard on yourself, and be kind to yourself, and keep slapping on the cream, it helps a great deal. BIG BEAR HEALING HUGS

Thanks Garance - TWO ops for you? That must have been bad. Glad you are doing well now.
Regards
Alison