I'm New And Was Just Dianosed With Oral Cancer.

Hi I'm Kevin and was just diagnosed today with oral tonque cancer. Alls I know it is maligent, can be removed, and I have a tumor in my tonque. they say i got it from smoking but quit smoking 10 years ago but smoked 15 years ago before that. I'm interested in hearing from people who have had similar situations and how they're treatment and outcome have came out. I'll know more next week, but scared and lonely at the moment.thank you, Kevin

Kevin,
Did you serve in Vietnam? I ask because my husband had cancer of the tonsil last year and there are several others who also have had it. We are trying to establish a connection between Agent Orange and this type of cancer.

I read your message and I have also contracted cancer in the tonsil. I was in Viet Nam and never smoked and drink on occasion. My doctors wrote a letter for me to present to the Veterans group but I have been dennied. I am going to fight this to the end. If we can get all of the names together, I think we have a chance. John --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ---

There is a Congressman in New Hampshire who has sponsored a bill to allow cancer of the tonsil to be included in the cancers that VA pays for. I believe it is HR 3209. We have written to our Congressman to get him to sign on as co-sponsor and to alert him to the situation. My husband is on his next to last appeal and we don't know when the appeals board is meeting next. BTW, he is so far fully recovered. He had surgery with removal of tonsil and part of the hard palate followed by six weeks of radiation. After one year he has been cancer free. We hope that you have a good support system in place because love of friends and family is key.

Kevin, my husband was diagnosed with tongue cancer last May. After 35 days of radiation and three rounds of chemo ending in August and surgery two weeks ago to remove two lymph nodes and do a tongue biopsy, Jim has gotten a cancer free report!!
It was a frightening time for us, but we had incredible support from our cancer center. They worked with us endlessly to see that Jim was as comfortable as possible.
He doesn't remember most of the summer because he slept most of the day and night. Do you have help to take over day to day decisions?
Other good news is that many but not all of the side effects of treatment were temporary for Jim.
Keep writing in with questions if we can be of help.
Take care. Our thoughts are with you.
Kay

Three years ago, I received the same news. I also was very scared.In a 7 hour operation, the Drs removed part of my tongue and replaced it with tissue from my right arm. Put in a feeding tube for three weeks.I di not have to have chemo or radiotion. I have some trouble eating now.
No hot foods ot "hard foods" You can make it. I know you can. Just hope you have good Drs.I know just how you feel and my thought and prayers are with you.
Mildred

Three years ago, I received the same news. I also was very scared.In a 7 hour operation, the Drs removed part of my tongue and replaced it with tissue from my right arm. Put in a feeding tube for three weeks.I di not have to have chemo or radiotion. I have some trouble eating now.
No hot foods ot "hard foods" You can make it. I know you can. Just hope you have good Drs.I know just how you feel and my thought and prayers are with you.
Mildred

People and posts from people like you make me feel better. See what happened is in 2000 i had major brain surgery for seisures at the mayo clinic and was seisure free for 5 yrs. until in July i let my meds get old by accident had a seisure. I bit my tonque in sevaral places on the right side bad, it is five months later and still hasn't healed, they stiched part of it up but it still hasn't healed much. That's when they took a bi-opsy and then i find I have the tumor which probaly layed dorment for 10 years. i smoked for 15 years and quit 10 years ago. I find out more the 22nd about the biopsy so your prayers are deeply appreciated, thank you , Kevin

I would be interested in emailing you or Jim. Curious about the permanent side effects of the cemo Jim has. Made me feel better about myself to here Jim has completely recovered. You or Jim can email me at --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html --- thank you, Kevin

Glad you had so many people respond to your message. I hope it helps to know that you are not alone.I will pray long and hard for you, espically on the 22nt.YOu need to keep your spirtis up. Hard, I know. Also you need to eat. I drink Ensure as well as eat and take a liquid vitimin.
I have had three differant types of cancer and at 72, I am still here! I had no long term effects from chemo.My hair came back and the color returned to my face.
I saw your email address and Will email you if you like. Do you have someone to help you at home?
Keep your chin up! There is life after cancer.
Mildred