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Tongue Cancer - Diagnosed two days ago

Nicola2209
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Hi, I am a 32 year old single mum to my two year old daughter and I found out two days ago that I have tongue cancer.  I'm waiting for an appointment for an MRI scan and a CT scan which should hopefully be within the next few days and this can find out if the cancer has spread.  I then have to have an appointment to discuss a treatment plan but I have already been told that this will involve cutting out the lump in my tongue and a neck dissection to remove Lymph nodes.

It's all such a lot to take in and I'm trying to come to terms with the fact that in a few weeks time my life will never be the same again.  I have read some horrific stories about what I have to come and I am willing to face any of it so long as I stay alive for the sake of my daughter.  I have only told my parents and one friend so far, no piont telling everyone until I have more facts after the scans but I'm concerned at how far the cancer could have spread.  I have had this painful lump on my tongue for six months but the doctors kept giving me prescripotions for other things which has delayed diagnisis.  I have also had pain in my throat and more recently I've noticed ear ache and jaw ache and neck pain.  I'm trying to stay positive until I know more information from the scans but I know I will crumble if it has spread beyond repair.

From reading stories from others on here and other websites, I'm a little confused that I haven't yet been told what stage the cancer is at.  Isn't that something that could be identified from my biopsy?  How could the doctor be so sure that I will need a neck dissection before knowing what stage it's at?

None of this has come of much of a surprise.  I googled my symptoms of a persistent ulcer back in April, before I first went to the doctor and was alarmed to see the word "cancer" everywhere I looked.  I had all the symptoms but was just hoping I was wrong.  The first two doctors I saw about this reassured me that it was nothing more sinister than an ulcer, which put my mind at rest a little, how wrong were they?!  I am just glad that I stayed persistent and kept going back to the doctor about it.  I don't think they treated it as an urgency as I don't fit in with the usual risk factors, I've never smoked, I hardly drink and I'm not in the right age bracket.  I'm now feeling annoyed at the waiting game.  I want to know when the scan will be.

It helps to come on here and read other threads but I still don't think it has fully sunk in yet but when it does, positivity for the sake of my little girl will just have to get me through.  I would love to keep hearing stories from others or any advice would be greatly received.

Nicola xx

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     I was diagnosed with  tongue cancer in December 2017. The operation is a long one it takes all day  but of course  you don’t know anything about it.  It is quite difficult for the first few days as there is a lot of swelling so you  have to be fed through a tube until you can Swallow well . Plenty of ice cream in the first few days you can swallow is very soothing .   Once you can eat soft food reliably they will discharge you from the hospital. Speech is distorted due to the swelling but with speach therapy gradually gets better and to my astonishment my speech was back to normal in about four  months to such an extent that people that did not know I had had the operation could not tell at all.   The operation was done through my  mouth so there are no scars on my face and the incision line on my  Neck although very visible to start with has now almost disappeared. Reconstruction on my tongue still feels a bit odd and my sense of taste is a bit reduced as of course there are no taste buds on the part of your tongue reconstructed. However overall the operation has been a complete success. The  NHS team at the hospital were incredible. It is really scary when they give you a business card for a MacMillan nurse but here I am  completely  cured and back to normal. Here’s hoping that your outcome will be the same.

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     I was diagnosed with  tongue cancer in December 2017. The operation is a long one it takes all day  but of course  you don’t know anything about it.  It is quite difficult for the first few days as there is a lot of swelling so you  have to be fed through a tube until you can Swallow well . Plenty of ice cream in the first few days you can swallow is very soothing .   Once you can eat soft food reliably they will discharge you from the hospital. Speech is distorted due to the swelling but with speach therapy gradually gets better and to my astonishment my speech was back to normal in about four  months to such an extent that people that did not know I had had the operation could not tell at all.   The operation was done through my  mouth so there are no scars on my face and the incision line on my  Neck although very visible to start with has now almost disappeared. Reconstruction on my tongue still feels a bit odd and my sense of taste is a bit reduced as of course there are no taste buds on the part of your tongue reconstructed. However overall the operation has been a complete success. The  NHS team at the hospital were incredible. It is really scary when they give you a business card for a MacMillan nurse but here I am  completely  cured and back to normal. Here’s hoping that your outcome will be the same.

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