Tongue Cancer

Good evening Carolannsusan, having read the other posts I'm afraid I'm with you, it does sound barbaric just because of the covid they are trying to cut corners and rush things through. I have experienced having an implant removed under local anesthetic which i was very wary of, my god I was in so much pain and sweating so much my shirt was soaking wet, and sitting in that chair for over half an hour was wrong. He said I don't think I will do that again. I know it's not the same area but needless to say I would ask if he has the right to do it this way when there is a perfectly pain-free option where you won't feel or see a thing. He is using the " if you don't do it this way you will not get it at all " which again i think he is obliged to fulfill your wishes. I bet there are not many on this group who would go through it., how much longer would it take if they did a general anesthetic. I know my consultant would not even consider this. As you say you will most probably need a feeding tube fitted. Wishing you all the best, take care.

                                                                             Chris x 

Thanks Chris for delivering the correct  facts as usual . I was thinking it cannot be that bad and they are just getting on with it. Obviously I am wrong. My brother in law  had to have a hole drilled in his hip for part of his treatment and due to the condition of his health they could  not give  pain relief. Glad to say he is on the mend . All The Best Regards Min  

Hi Chris,

Thank you, it is nice that someone can see where I am coming from.  As you say it is ok for people to say go for it, it is another thing to do it.  Although I do realise that people are just trying to be helpful.

My consultant is ringing me today to discuss again, but I do not think that local anasthetic is the way to go for me, I am pretty sure that I would freak out.

But I will explore all avenues, I will not give up on this!

So today is going to be my fighting day to get rid of this beast out of my mouth!

Carol x

A lot of people have serious operations under local - for very good reasons.  However, putting myself in your position and having had 2 surgical goes at my throat, I fail to see how they could achieve a successful operation with you conscious.  I can't imagine how they would have reached the back of my tongue without me gagging and having the most uncomfortable feeling as they tried to open the mouth wide enough to get to where they needed to be...  There again I am not a surgeon so really don't know!

I imagine the hospital's problem is that their theatre recovery areas are once again being pressed into use for ventilated Covid patients, but they must still have some capacity for emergency surgery that could be pressed into use - or refer you to another hospital under less pressure.  Maybe worth asking is the capacity is elsewhere - even if it is under the NHS contract with the private hospitals for such work.

Hi Peter, 

Thank you for your comments, all what you said rings true with me.

I have just this minute come off of the phone with my consultant, and I have informed him I would not have the mental ability to go ahead with it being done under local, I would be so scared that I would freak out!

He totally understood, it was just another avenue to go down.

But he is trying hard and ringing round other hospitals for me, and they are at this present moment in time discussing whether they are able to start doing operations again! he told me I am on the priority list and if the discussions go well, he aims to do the op next Thursday.

But of course, its all ifs and maybe's, so fingers crossed for me that it all goes in my favour!

Carol

Fingers crossed that it can be done and you don’t need RT afterwards. 
Let us know how you get on. I must admit I found your situation shocking and trying to put myself in your place was difficult for me even though I am a surgeon ( of sorts  ) 

Good  luck 

Hi Carol

I read your post yesterday evening and was somewhat shocked at the suggestion of having a tumour on the base of your tongue removed under local anaesthetic.  I've certainly not heard of anyone else that's been through this procedure this way.  I decided I would have to think about it overnight before replying.  My first thought this morning was that perhaps the tumour is under the front of your tongue in the floor of your mouth?

Having read the further replies this morning I'm pleased that others have reacted in the same way.  I had base of tongue cancer which was removed surgically by robot.  This area is notoriously difficult to access as it's down your throat which is why the gold standard treatment for the last few years has been radiation and chemotherapy.  Now some hospitals have robots there is a lot more accuracy in removing a tumour from this location and trials are underway to compare this method with chemoradiation.

I'm pleased you've had a conversation with your consultant and hoping you get some news soon.

All the best Carol.

Linda x

Hi Dani, Thank you, I will let you know how I get on. Carol

Hi Linda,

Thank you for your reply.

I spoke to my consultant this morning, and  had to inform him that I would not be going ahead with my surgery under local anasthetic. I know I would find it too traumatic for me! and I think dangerous to say the least in case I moved!

He understood, and is trying his hardest to find a bed for me to do the procedure under general, so fingers crossed he will be successful and find me a bed, so that I am able to get rid of this beast out of my mouth soon! I will keep posting to let people know how it goes.

Carol

Hi everyone, well at last I had my Partial Glossectomy on monday 25th January just gone. Under General Anasthetic I should add! And I have to say I am so glad that I did! Why I even considered having it done on local is beyond me.  Anyway the operation went well, but I will not know until 3 weeks time to see if it has spread! The hospital where I had it done was so kind and understanding, and I was looked after so well.  They kept me in for one night as I was a bit poorly, but came out the next day to start my recovery.  It hasn't been easy to say the least, the swelling of the tongue and gland is usual I understand, and trying to eat is painful, but challenging in itself.

But I realise that it will be a matter of time before I start to feel a little better, I find not being able to speak properly very frustrating, as I am a bit of a talker....lol but again hopefully, it wont be too long before I start bending peoples ears again!

The Morphine is very good for the pain, only problem is trying to go to the toilet, if you know what I mean, it's now been 4 days, tried a couple of things like lactolose and movicol, but no luck so far, so if there is anyone who can recommend something better I would appreciate it.

I will say bye for now, and maybe have a chat at a later date to keep you updated.

Thank you for listening

Carol