2nd tongue cans & reconstruction

Dominiq
Dominiq Member Posts: 13
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

 


Feb 10, 2018 - 9:51 am





Good morning

My 81 year old mother had tongue cancer in 2001 with surgery and radiation. The radiation that saved her then caused a new cancer in her left side of her tongue. She used to be a smoker. I myself just finished treatment (radiation and chemo )in April 2017 for anal cancer.

My mother is scheduled with surgery to remove the tumor and reconstruct her tongue on March 1. This time it has not spread. The last time it was in her neck lymph nodes so she had surgery there too. She already has some difficulties eating and talking. The surgeon said the upcoming surgery and reconstruction could leave her better or worst off. She would love to hear the story of someone who underwent reconstruction of the tongue. She is very afraid :( she says she does not want too many details but it would be helpful if someone could say that they survived it and can talk and eat without too much trouble ...

Thank you ! I know from my cancer board that you are all heroes going through your treatment ! Stay strong . My mom did it once and I am so grateful for the last 17 years and my children knowing her and loving her. My oldest is 14 and Freshman in High School. Her goal is to see him graduate.

dominique




Comments

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #2
    I didn't have what you might

    I didn't have what you might call "reconstruction" of my tongue, but after they removed the tumor, obviously a chunk of my tongue went with it.  There wasn't much though as to how they put my tongue back together and now it's very uncomfortable because it's deformed and my mouth knows it and hates it.  However, I consider myself very lucky in that I didn't have to go through radiation or chemo and  hopefully this is all I will suffer.  I also had 42 lymph nodes removed.  All in all, things could have been a lot worse..

  • E_schwarz
    E_schwarz Member Posts: 4
    #3
    Husband had reconstruction

    Hello Dominiq. My husband had a tumor on the right side of his tongue which was removed. I think it was close to 1/3 of his tongue. He had a reconstruciton done using a skin graft from his left forearm. His surgeon was so great. He has received multiiple compliments by many medical experts on how it looks really great. Her tongue will be swollen at first but as it gradually gets back to normal again, she can definetely eat most foods. The speech is also really great. I think she will do just fine. :) Chin up, both of you! Smile

  • Dominiq
    Dominiq Member Posts: 13
    edited February 2018 #4
    E_schwarz said:

    Husband had reconstruction

    Hello Dominiq. My husband had a tumor on the right side of his tongue which was removed. I think it was close to 1/3 of his tongue. He had a reconstruciton done using a skin graft from his left forearm. His surgeon was so great. He has received multiiple compliments by many medical experts on how it looks really great. Her tongue will be swollen at first but as it gradually gets back to normal again, she can definetely eat most foods. The speech is also really great. I think she will do just fine. :) Chin up, both of you! Smile

    Thank you

    Thank you for sharing your husband‘s experience. That is very encouraging.

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