New and terrified

Hi RBMoon

I too smoked, had a neck dissection and 2/3rds of the front of my tongue replaced so don't have a tip which gives me problems as there's certain sounds I can no longer make so I try to use different words instead, everything else I can say no problem, you'll be amazed how good your speech will be. Don't think about what might have been and just concentrate on getting better. You've got this.

Dee

Hi I am a non drinker and non smoker was diagnosed with cancer under the tongue and precancerous on the right side of my tongue. Had surgery last february, lost tip of the tongue and some of the right side of my tongue. A bilateral neck disection where they found cancer in a lymph node. Bottom teeth removed and some of my jaw bone internally removed to make sure there was no cancer there. Also had six weeks of radiotherapy too. I have been working with the speech and language team and they will take you through techniques to cope. My speech will never be the same as some words are difficult to pronounce and eating can be challenging too. But what could have happened if I ignored it could be so much worse. Don't be afraid to ask for help and use the resources around you. Take one day at a time too and heal mentally as well as physically.

Hello, I don't have quite your experience/situation but just want to say hello and welcome. I've only recently joined this forum and there are some amazing people on here who we can always reach out to. Take care and as someone said, take one day at a time. Wishing you luck. x

Hi RBMoon 

A welcome from me too, but so sorry to see you here.

RBMoon said:

Dentist spotted this back in May and sent me for an urgent referral, and somewhere along the way I was marked down as routine and not seen until November.

The exact same thing happened to me but I am a vet, retired and I knew what I had so when my appointment hadn't materialised in the magic two weeks I was straight on to the consultant's secretary. Five years later I am still here.

I presume the mandibulectomy procedure has been explained to you. It will be a bit of a challenge but you'll be well looked after in hospital and you'll be in ITU for a while.  Speech and therapy will be involved from the start to help you.I have a couple of contacts who have done pretty well after just that.

Do a bit of forward planning., If you are having radiotherapy when you have healed you will be off work for months.

Have a look at Young Tongues. They have an active F**cebook page. Here is their website which has links https://www.youngtonguesglobal.com/

Best Wishes

Thank you so much, it's really reassuring to hear from others who have been through the same thing ️

I've just signed up, thanks so much!

I'm not sure if I will need radiotherapy yet, I won't find out until after surgery but they are hopeful this will be curative. I can't tell you what a relief it is to find this group!

Thank you xxx

RBMoon said:

I've just signed up, thanks so much!

Last time I looked there was lots of peer support. I got thrown out as I'm not "Young" but that's another story.

Hi sorry you’ve found yourself on yourself On here and the others have given sound advise. Just take it all one day at a time you can’t undo what’s happened concentrate on the here and now. 
hugs Hazel 

RBMoon said:

I've just signed up, thanks so much!

Glad you’ve joined the head and neck cancer support U.K. too. There’s some good support there too.