Hi everyone, My name is Jill. My husband has tongue cancer.Surgery is Monday. 10 hours they say, he is going to lose 1/3 of his tongue and a flap is being made. It is very hard to think of Monday. We are both freaked out. It would be great to have some help to get through this. Thankyou Gwyn for responding. I am glad you are well.

jilly

Hi Jilly and welcome.

My husbands surgery was about ten hours and he had a part of his tongue removed and a bilateral neck dissection.He had 53 staples in his neck with two drains in situ.He looked a fright when he came back to the ward,but he was home in 36 hours and back at work in a week.

His problems really didn't start until he had radiotherapy six weeks later,when he had to have a feeding tube in his stomach.

I hope your husband's op goes well and keep us informed.

liz

Hi! Jilly,
All the best for your husbands op on Monday, tell him we are thinking of him from down under.
Keep in touch with his progress.
"Stay Strong"
Love TREV

Jill,

Here in the south 48 I'm thinking of you. I think you'll get some great support on this board. These people are awesome.

I get the freaking - this is tough stuff, really really tough stuff. Trev, Cookey, Ananth, Susan and Steven, Dr. Joshi, and all the rest are here to answer your questions and provide knowledge, comfort and support. I didn't know this crap existed until it happened to me - this is the nightmare we all dread but never had a name for. Now we know what it is.

This gang will see you through this - I'm counting on them to do the same for me. I've yet to undergo treatment and am as frightened as you are. This is a friendly, soothing, helpful(sometimes humorous), no-holds-barred place amidst the turmoil. I'm here often and gather strength from them. This is a gang of fighters, both as patients and caregivers, and we're so lucky to have found them. There are tremendous success stories to hold on to.

Best of luck to you and your husband Monday. I'll be thinking about you. Remember to take care of yourself!

Live strong!

Mimi

You must both stay totally focused and positive, there is light at the end of the tunnel as many people on this site have shown but it is worth knowing you will have support here.

Good luck to you both for Monday, keep us posted.

Hi Jilly

Went through similar 1998 it will seem daunting and its not easy for you both .but things do improve and if you both hang in and pull togeter and support each other it will help you through

Have not posted for a while but are here if req

Dave and Sue

Dear Jilly,
I am the "casanova" as well the "joker" in this group. Let me also take this chance to welcome you to our family, which I am sure will mahe you feel at home and as though you have known us all your life.

I am sorry but I do not your hubbys name - but will think about him during his surgery and keep looking at the positive side and decide everything is going to be okay. As I tell all who join our group that at least I am not happy when they join our group as it is murder tocome down with cancer and its only when one has seen the ravages one joins. I feel sorry for that person but at the end of the day - welcome is the only solution.

Feel free to ask us questions as amid all of us I am sure we will have at least one person who will answer your queries. Also keep us informed on your hubbys progress.

Take care and - lots of love, bear hugs and xxx( I warned you !)
Ananth

Hi Jill, So sad to reead yet another case on the C.
I had mouth and neck cancer but they had to remove part of my tongue which causes me endless problems with my speech and eating, Having said that at the Cancer group I go to at UCH LDN there are 3 people there who have had tongue Cancer and they can talk and eat fine, So good luck to your husband on Monday and will pray for your huband well being tomorrow at mass.

Be positve is easier said than done but belive me we all come out of this stronger people
cheers
Paul

Hi Jill
I'm glad you've found this forum (sorry you had to), the wonderful people here have been a great help to me and I'm sure they will be to you to. My father had virtually the same surgery on 26th Nov.: third of the tongue removed, reconstruction with forearm flap and neck dissection with 45 lymph nodes removed. Two months on and he's doing very well. If you have any questions I'd be happy to try and answer them, but bear in mind that everyone is different. I've also sent you a private message.
Will be thinking of you both on Monday, all the best, Sara

Hi Jill,
Sending you and your husband well wishes. Your husband will get through it and so will you, it's normal to freak, losing part of your tongue is so barbaric. I had a 1/3 of my tongue removed in Aug '07 with no reconstruction. The hardest part is waking up and not having the ability to talk, which at that time your husband's saliva will be excessive due to the wound in his mouth, but as each day goes by his speech will improve and the saliva will go back to normal post-surgery. It takes time.
Hope all goes well!!!
Pamela

Hi everybody, I just want to say Andy and I are thrilled that you have taken the time to write and wish us luck. It really has made my night. I am feeling so positive now, I hope tomorrow morning this stays with me. Thank you all so much.

jilly

Hi Jill

good luck with the surgery,come back and tell us how he is doing,but do be prepared for the surgery being quite long,and the sitting waiting is quite hard on us wives.

love liz

Hi Jill,

Thinking of you and Andy, and wishing you strength and courage for tomorrow -- we all hope to support you in whatever way we can. (You are not alone!)

For tomorrow (Mon.), if still applicable:
~Do you have someone to be with you during at least part of the surgery waiting time? I found that tremendously helpful. Having something distracting to do (like sudoku) might help as well.
~After surgery, Andy will probably look quite tired out. Just keep reminding yourself that he'll be looking better before you know it.

Hang in there,
Susan

Hi Jill
Just wanted to let you know you are both in our thoughts today.
I hope all has gone well and that you (particularly, since Andy will be out to it) are hanging in there.
Love from Down Under
Deborah

Hi! Jill,
Like Deb said we are thinking of you during this trying time and I can only say that with you there beside Andy it will make things so much better for him as from my own experience there was nothing better than to have my lovely DEB beside my bed when I came too. Give Andy our best when he is accepting compliments.
Love TREV

Allan K. Chalmers:
"The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for".