Hello Nicrik and welcome to Cancer Chat,

Thanks for sharing your story on the forum. I am sorry to hear you husband has been told he will not be able to sing in the future following tongue cancer surgery. That must be very difficult for him and I hope he recovers well from his two surgeries to be able to resume his musical activities even if it means he won't be able to sing as much. Does he play a musical instrument too that would allow him to still have a good time and get involved in folk music?

We have some information on our website  here on tongue cancer which I hope you will find helpful. We also have some advice on eating here which may also be relevant in your husband's situation.

There have been many members on our forum who have been affected by tongue cancer. I thought I would also mention [@Nicola2209]‍ 's monumental thread on tongue cancer which has attracted so many members to share their tongue cancer stories. You can find Nicola's thread here (53 page long!!) and I am sure you will find some good diet tips there - or don't hesitate to post a reply too and ask for advice. 

Feel free also to ring our nurses on this free number 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. They are back in the office on Tuesday after the Easter break and they may well have some diet suggestions for you too and will be able to guide you if you have any questions on radiotherapy for example.

Wishing your husband a speedy recovery,

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Nicrik,

This is a great place to ask questions and gain support.  I was also diagnosed with tongue cancer in December 2017.  I also had a neck dissection.  My lymph nodes were also clear.  You should definitely research healthier diet options.  I also like sweets and do a lot of comfort eating; however, there is information that would indicate that is not the best choice.  

www.cnn.com/.../index.html

I just found this article this morning as I am still having trouble with the range of motion of my arm.  I wish I had known these things a few months ago.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/.../

Tell your husband not to give up his dreams of singing again.  I am a kindergarten teacher.  I sing songs and teach about letter sounds so I have been working on tongue exercises and have seen a lot of improvement.  I hate to be a downer but it is going to take time for him to get his skills back.  Emotionally this is draining and he will need your support and love.  I struggle most with the lymph fluid above my neck dissection incision which makes it harder to talk and sing etc.  I have been learning a lot about lymph drainage and reteaching the fluid to drain.

The one thing I have learned is you have to be your own advocate and keep trying things until you figure out what works best for you (your husband).  Sometimes it is difficult to sift through all of the information on the Internet but I have found other people have been my greatest resources.

Wishing you two the best and don't be afraid to reach out to others.

Lori

Hi there,

I had the same and I didn't eat healthy, but was not overweight. I did not smoke or drink. I was 23, I think it was bad genetics and nothing more. Every cancer has different factors, but sometimes it is not anything a person has done in lifestyle.

I eat lots more fruit and vegetables now, I am slowly moving off of sugar but still eat biscuits and the odd cake. I always get five a day fruit and veg and aim for 7.

It has been three and a half years since the op (had part of my tongue removed and neck dissection but no other treatment) and it is still healing. My speech improves yearly and so does the feeling on my neck and under my chin. I have seen a clip on youtube before of a singer on the x factor who lost half of his tongue to cancer. www.youtube.com/watch I would keep hope, you never know what it is going to be once everything is healed, you have to take each day as it comes.

Good luck to you and your partner.