Mouth cancer surgery

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Hi I am new on here. My husband was diagnosed with mouth cancer in April and we have been waiting for an appt for surgery the cancer on his tongue has got a lot bigger now and he is suffering a lot with the pain. He has a date now though for 50% possibly more removal of tongue, teeth removed, neck dissection. Had anybody had this surgery? Wondering what to expect recovery wise? Was speech ok? Etc etc 

Tgank you xx

  • I'n back at work now.

    6 weeks after finishing treatment? Heck! You’re a superhero. Well done. Where were you treated? 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • Hi Chris - sorry to barge in, but perhaps you could help with info. Am having mouth and jaw surgery in about 3 weeks time, and have been told that I will be having grafts taken from either my calf or thigh. I read elsewhere on this forum that one might be sent home with a cast on? If not a cast, how else might it go --- need to know because live in a house with stairs, so wondering about getting  a stair lift, if necessary. TIA -- best wishes Sheilagh.

  • Good evening Sheilagh, no worries you are welcome, i have had both surgeries my first one was floor of the mouth and the second was jaw reconstruction. I had bone and skin taken from my calf for my jaw and for mouth surgery a graft was taken from my arm including a vein a forearm-free flap from my arm just above the wrist. It varies from person to person. I hobbled out of the hospital and did not have a cast on, it was just heavily bandaged, I like you had a nouse with stars and managed to climb them although they fitted two new bannisters free of charge so i had something to grab hold of, they certainly helped. For any hospital appointments, i used a hospital wheelchair to get from A to B, i would not have thought a stair lift would not be needed unless your recovery does not go as well as mine, hopefully, it will all go fairly smoothly, you will be in a bit of pain in the calf or shin so you might need stronger painkillers. I had this surgery done in 2009 and i still walk well with no walking aids. Wishing you all the best and hope all goes well, please ask if you need more advice or have any concerns, take care. 

                                                                                                        Chris x

    Its sometimes not easy but its worth it ! 

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  • Chris2012 -- thank you so much for your really helpful reply. Currently laid low with Norovirus on top of everything else, so am keeping this brief. All good wishes ......Sheilagh x

  • Good evening Sheilagh, only too pleased to help, bless you, wish you a speedy recovery, and take care.

                                                              Chris x

    Its sometimes not easy but its worth it ! 

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  • Hi Wendy,my wife has just had 50% of her tongue removed and neck dissection 2 days ago. Her surgeon informed me today that a couple of lymph nodes look suspicious. She's a non smoker and drinker. I'm terrified of what lies ahead.

  • Hi 131657. Welcome to our little community. Hopefully the surgery has dealt with the cancer spread to your wife’s lymph nodes. Your job to help and support is a difficult one when the entire team is focused on your wife . People survive pretty well after glossectomy so hold on to that. 
    You might like to look at a couple of other support groups. https://www.youngtonguesglobal.com/ 
    Have a look at their website. They also have a very active social media page. 
    The other group is The Swallows. 
    https://theswallows.org.uk/
    They are particularly strong in their support of carers and their helpline is manned 24 hours a day by a real person. 
    Here on Macmillan there is a support group for carers

    Stay with us and we will help where we can. Trusting your wife’s team is a good start both for treatment and her recovery afterwards. 
    Best wishes. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge
  • Try not to panic. I've lost about the same amount and had spread to lymph nodes. It will probably mean radiotherapy & chemo but she'll get through it. 

    Hopefully like me she'll be celebrating her 5 years before you know it Fingers crossed

    Wendy

  • Hi beesuit. I really appreciate your kind words and advice. The surgeon thinks it could be a bacterial virus that triggered the C. I'm praying that she has a good chance of surviving this. We have 4 kids. Thanks again.

  • The surgeon thinks it could be a bacterial virus that triggered the C.

    That will be HPV which is responsible for around 80% of oropharyngeal cancer. If you wife does need radiotherapy this cancer is uniquely responsive and curable. It’s all I had and I’m still here three plus years later living a good life 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

    Community Champion badge