Life After Complete Removal of the Tongue

Dav1965

Me too
I had stage 4 squamas cell cancer in my tongue. Along with cancer on the left side lymphnodes. They removed 95% of my tongue then i had chemo and radiation. I was on the peg tube for about 8 months now i am off of it. They used a muscle in my thigh for my tongue. I kept about a 1/4 inch strip on the side of my tongue and they rebuilt the rest. It is a long slow process. I have had 1 surgery to shape the tongue better and i have another one planned for August or September. I drink a lot of choclate milk and protein shakes. Also i eat cereal, soup and mashed potatoes. I was eating more but i have some compplications from radiation. I talk a little funny now but considering what i went through i think thats ok. Prayers asked and God bless. David

Nmagnera

Dav1965 said:

Me too
I had stage 4 squamas cell cancer in my tongue. Along with cancer on the left side lymphnodes. They removed 95% of my tongue then i had chemo and radiation. I was on the peg tube for about 8 months now i am off of it. They used a muscle in my thigh for my tongue. I kept about a 1/4 inch strip on the side of my tongue and they rebuilt the rest. It is a long slow process. I have had 1 surgery to shape the tongue better and i have another one planned for August or September. I drink a lot of choclate milk and protein shakes. Also i eat cereal, soup and mashed potatoes. I was eating more but i have some compplications from radiation. I talk a little funny now but considering what i went through i think thats ok. Prayers asked and God bless. David

Cancer of the tongue

Dav1965, my daughter also had removal of her tongue but she lost 100% of it.  She can speak but it is very limited and sounds very mushy, hard to understand.  At present she does most of her communication with a white board or boogie board.  If you ever feel like you want to exchange ideas or just have someone to talk with I'm available.  God bless you.