Hello Expat. I hope you went out today and spent time with your friends from work,   I just want to say that i am recovering from tongue cancer I am not or never have been a drinker or smoker so when " they say" it is a smoker/drinkers cancer they are wrong...I was told that i was in the wrong catagory didnt tick the boxes so we will send for you again in 10 to 12 weeks but absolutly nothing to worry about returned 12 weeks later had an understudy take a biopsy  by this time i had earache as well told no nothing to do with tougne go see your doctor again about your ear its nothing to do with your tongue and again you have nothing to worry about this is NOT cancer we will have results in 3 weeks time. returned to be told we will take another biopsy as we didnt take enough so another one taken.. returned 3 weeks later no its not cancer but it could turn nasty if not treated  we will bring you back and remove it my husband said no  she has been through enough and the earache every day my wife has been coming to you since May it is now September Oh that long...ok go have a cup of tea come back I will remove it in half an hour. Brought back 3 weeks later to be told sorry it is cancer we will bring you in and operate might have to do skin graft. the point im making here is to be told you dont smoke/drink your not in the right catagory is crazy and the earache was caused by the cancer it is the same nerve from ear to tongue this cancer is more common now than ever I dont mean to frighten you Expat but if you are diagnosed with this remember you will get through it its tough but you will get through it...keep your family and friends close as we all need someone to help us when things get tough...and this chatline is a great help too...god bless D.

Hi Expat,

I put some respones to your questions. 

Results wise, I got my results quickly, my consultant sped up the results and I had them within a week of biospy. 

I don't think it would make a difference if you give up bad habbits before a biopsy. But regardless of the result, you should try to give them up anyway if you can.

I had to have time off work for the biospy half a day, so I told them I was having it but nothing more until I got the result.

Cancer does not have to relate to anything we have done, sometimes it just happens. I was 23, hardly drunk and did not smoke. That being said however, now I am recovered, I have the odd drink. You can't live in fear, more so when in the 20's/30's.

Please keep us updated, good luck.

Hi Stokemale,

I wish you all the very best for your op tomorrow.

Thinking of you and hoping that it all goes well.

Kind regards,

Jolamine

Oh No Have just caught up with this - so sorry, Stokemale, wishing you best of luck for today, of course you're worried but you have a positive attitude, as you say it's been caught extremely early. And a positive attitude carries you a long way - I have nothing but respect for the amazing people on here who have been through so much yet still offer support and advice.

Best wishes Kitty.

Afternoon  all,

Quick update, im currently lying on my hospital bed, the staff have been amazing. Went in for surgery at 9am out after an hour, eating toast n coffee by 10.20. Not at all as bad as i imagined, I hope this gives people reading this post some positivity going forward. I suppose it's a case of waiting couple of weeks for test results, thank you all for your positive messages & support, I'll keep you posted.

Hi Stokemale,

High 5 to you. I am glad to hear that your op is behind you and that it all went well. I certainly didn't expect you to be up to tea and toast so soon after!

I hope that things continue to go well and, that your pathology results are favourable when they come back.

Kind regards,

Jolamine

Hi good news I came home that day n had lamb casserole. Please keep in touch xx

Hi Stokemate.

So pleased it went well for you. You must be very relieved. Its always good to hear that things were not half as bad as expected.

Hoping your test results come back with good news too,will keep my fingers crossed for you :-)

Take care and keep in touch. x

Stokemale, I am gobsmacked! I know that's a really awful comment to make to someone who's just had an op on their tongue but it describes exactly how I am feeling - you are awesome! I couldn't eat properly for days post biopsy, maybe the side of the tongue is better supplied with nerves and so that it is why it was so painful. But to be eating toast so soon after surgery -  my dentist always says I have a high pain threshold but next to you I'm a complete wimp. 

I was back at work the next day and salt rinses every few hours was a bit tricky but I managed. No cancerous cells were found, I was one of the lucky ones, and I sincerely hope you are too. 

Morning,

Thought I'd give an update a week after surgery. I'm beginning to think the toast straight after surgery was a mistake, it lured me into a false sense of security in regards eating in my opinion, I think a soft diet for the first week would have been the best way forward in hinesight, I ate pretty much what I wanted, I believe this is down to nerve damage & loss of feeling across the right hand side of my tongue, this lead (I believe) or at least contributed to a couple of my stitches tearing & the front part of my tongue looking like a burst mattress I popped up to the loca hospitall walk in centre who spoke to Max Fax dept. They weren't overly concerned & advised to me keep it clean with mouth wash. I did find the irritation to my Uvula (dangly thing at back of my throat) drove me mad for about 3 days, I assume this was due to tube which was up my nose & down throat during op. But this has eased off now & back to normal. I'm on more pills than the local old folks home & rattling, anti biotics, anti virall for massive cold sore I had, ibuprofen, paracetamol which I've not taken alot of, again I believe this is down to nerve damage & my regular medication for my under active thyroid. General movement of tongue is uncomfortable but bearable, my biggest battle is in my head, I have 1 week until test results, obviously I'm hoping for the best but I fear the worst, this feels like the big one, I'll either get the all clear or ??? Anyway, apologies for the long mail but I think it's important to document everything for future reference. Take care all & once again thanks for the support x

HI Stokemale,

Many thanks for your update, even though it doesn't sound as if you're in a great place at the moment. I did think that the toast was a bit ambitious so soon after surgery and, I am so sorry to hear about the burst stitches.

The emotional battle is the hardest one to deal with when you are waiting on results. We all seem to expect the worst at this stage, but fortunately this doesn't often turn out to be the case.

Here's hoping for better news when you get your results next week.

Kind regards,

Jolamine

HinStoke male sorrybto hear about tongue episode uch ouch and ouch. 

Re results from experience look at it this way can you influence the result at this stage  answer is. NO can you do anything about it until you know unfortunately again no so deep breathe look forward this is onky a blip. One year ago today I had my first ent consultant so know what yiu are feeling take strength from me now I’ve been to Spain 3 times once for 18 Fay’s once for 20 Fay’s and last times 8 weeks amd at min on holiday in Wales with family have been out all day and had fish and chips ok washed down with water but hey am alive and here .

comeback tomus on forum at any time don’t getbdown get even .

onward and upwards

hazel x

HinStoke male sorrybto hear about tongue episode uch ouch and ouch. 

Re results from experience look at it this way can you influence the result at this stage  answer is. NO can you do anything about it until you know unfortunately again no so deep breathe look forward this is onky a blip. One year ago today I had my first ent consultant so know what yiu are feeling take strength from me now I’ve been to Spain 3 times once for 18 Fay’s once for 20 Fay’s and last times 8 weeks amd at min on holiday in Wales with family have been out all day and had fish and chips ok washed down with water but hey am alive and here .

comeback tomus on forum at any time don’t getbdown get even .

onward and upwards

hazel x