hi my names Isabel, i am 66,and last july i was diagnosed with oral cancer, there was a large tumour in the floor of my mouth, which i later found out had spread quickly to my tongue,and around my jaw.

I was under a fantastic surgeon at the UCH in Euston, after numerous tests, exams, ultrasounds,mri,and a million and one other tests, throughout i was terrified, it was decided that i would undergo three rounds of a trial chemotherapy, then major surgery,and a large amount of radiotherapy. The date for the operation was set for September 2012, I stayed in the night before, but found out about an hour before the op, that i had an infection, so the operation was cancelled.

The chemo was awful,it totally sapped my energy, and i could hardly raise my head, but i got through it, and the date for my new op was 19th November,In the mean time i was fitted with a Pic line and a peg feeding tube, as i was unable to eat solid food. The surgeon described that the op would involve, taking away 60% of my tongue, removing the floor of my mouth, taking some of the lymph nodes in my neck as it had spread to that area,and having to take some of my jawbone away,and taking muscle and bone from my shoulder blade, to form the bottom of my mouth and to reconstruct my tongue, he thought the op would take about 18 hrs,then i would be in ITU for a week, but heavily sedated for the first three days.

Next came thr radiotherapy, which was horrendous, i had 30 sessions,it made my mouth really hurt, with a constant burning sensation,and later on it literally burnt the skin on my neck 

The op did take around 18 hrs and i cant remember the time in ITU, i was then transferred to the oncology ward, where i spent three weeks.

I still have peg tube in,and since the radiotherapy i have got 2 lumps on the side of my neck, so more scans tests and appts.

I would love to hear from anyone, who has had oral or head and neck cancer, but equally anyone else!!!!