Hello to all:

I am having an operation to remove cancer of my tongue within next two weeks. I will be having a good portion removed and will have a "flap" done. I would like to know what to expect. I am in the darsk as to what to ask the doctors.

Hi Ric, If you really want to know read "My Stories" on RDOC.
I wish you all the luck

Please keep comming back on here and checking the messages
Many people on RDOC who have been in your situation
Paul

Hello Ric I had over half my tongue removed in March this year, also my lower jaw bone. The flap was taken from the soft tissue on my forearm and bone from my leg (it sounds as if you have been spared the bone transplant, i.e the cancer hasn't spread into the bone) My story is on this site but if you want to ask any questions you can email on consilience@easynet.co.uk. Your doctors should already have discussed whether you are to have a peg fitted (feeding tube in tummy) or a nasal tube. This operation affects so many areas - trachy fitted (to breathe) the place where the soft tissue is taken plus the skin graft site. It all sounds so frightening but so many of us on this site have been through it and have come out the other end! Anything you need to know can be answered here. I only wish I'd know about this site before my op. All good wishes. Brenda

Hi,
My husband had this operation one month ago. They will rebuild your tonge with tissue from either your arm, leg, or tummy. What they don't tell you his that this new tongue will be sewn to your bottom teeth to keep it from moving. They will do an ultrasound on it every hour right after surgery to make sure it stays alive. It is really remarkable what they do. The track is the hardest thing to get use to. It is inportant to walk around and get the junk out of your lungs. The new tongue will not move like the old one. As about speach therapy, radiation, chemo, nutrition, activity and going on an anti depresent. It's a tough road, are you alone?

Marie

Hello Ric, this is Vicki Lynn. I also had 85% of my tongue removed and my jaw bone. I had a flap that was construted out of my left lower leg bone and then i had a skin graff to repair the neck area. I will not lie to you RIC, This is one HELL of a procedure. I wish I would have known about this site, I would have went in a littlt more knowledgable about what they were going to do to me. It was very painfull make sure they give you all the pain pills you will ever need. I have had CANCER 3 times now this was the worst of them all. But then it keeps getting worse and worse each time it comes back. I wish you the very best. Ask them questions RIC, if you want to know and you don't understand--ask them until you do..Okay..Man I wish we could all be there with you when you go in..Since I can't bet there in person I will be there with you in spirit....God Bless You ,,,,Vicki Lynn

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and better new year. may you all find the strenght to fight all your pain and problems.

god bless you all, fburghin.