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How long does recovery take after tongue cancer surgery and radiation?

Community Member

4 days ago

Hello everybody, my name is Jesse and I had cancer under my tongue. I was diagnosed on the 30 t/h of June when I went to the emergency room because I couldn’t take the pain anymore. On the 7 t/h of October I had my surgery. My surgeon removed the cancer from under my tongue and also removed all of my chin bone, they also removed 52 lymph node’s from my neck and one of them was cancerous. At this point I’m undergoing radiation treatment and I have eight more days left until I’m done with radiation….Thank God! At this point I still can’t talk very well. I can’t even eat or drink without it all coming out of my mouth that it’s embarrassing, so needless to say I don’t eat around anyone. Radiation really sucks I’m not going to lie. My throat is so dry it’s hard to swallow, in fact today was the first day that I’ve had a hard time eating cereal. I have no taste but I still like the coffee I have in the morning. My leg hurts when I walk, the leg I had my bone graft for my chin, my chin is swollen and hurts from a pain level of seven to sometimes an eight. I’ve been told that it will take at least a year and a half before I can heal. Some people say I look great but I see things differently. Most of my time I spend alone and feel like I have no support. I’m 64 years old now so what do you think. This is only the short end of my story. There is so much I want to say but I’m not sure if I should, so I’ll wait until I hear from someone on this space. Thank you for listening….

5 comments

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Community Member

4 days ago

Recovery timelines after tongue cancer surgery and radiation vary significantly from person to person, but the healing process you're experiencing sounds typical for the extensive treatment you've undergone. Many community members find that recovery continues to improve gradually over the months following radiation, with speech and swallowing function often showing steady progress with time and therapy. Since loneliness can be especially challenging during recovery, consider scrolling down the page from the Home Screen of this app to find the Ask Outcomes4Me box to get in touch for a more personal conversation and connect with clinical care experts, and remember that the 988 hotline is available 24/7 for additional support.

Community Member

4 days ago

I’m 40. Live alone. No kids.. this whole deal has changed every plan I’ve had!! I go Tuesday for a pet scan. I’m praying for the best but I know no matter what it’s gonna be tough!!

Community Member

4 days ago

Hello Amanda C…..my prayers for you on your recovery. I wish you nothing but the best. 😊

Community Member

3 days ago

Good morning, Jesse, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. You've gone through a lot! 😞 It's such a hard multi-problematic disease. We all have our unique paths, but we all suffer, unfortunately. I have oral cancer, too. I've had 4 surgeries in the past year. I have lost my upper jaw bone and all my upper teeth. I can't talk. I've been on a feeding tube this time for 5 months. I'm tired, like you, but we must keep going. I try to think of the people I love. I send out a lot of cards with short notes to let them know I am thinking about them. ( I don't say much about myself.) That helps me stay in touch while I'm staying home. I also listen to hours of music. If you haven't discovered Insight Timer, check out all the FREE beautiful music. Jesse, I wish you the best!! Talk here any time! Barbara

Community Member

3 days ago

Hello Barbara….. It’s been a long and rough year and I’m glad I found this place where I can share my thoughts and experiences. Yes I have been through a lot but I think you been through much more than I. I’ve only had one surgery and I’ve never thought of others having to go through much more difficult times than I. I have eight more days of radiation and I ask God to help me with this because I don’t know if I can get through this. The thing is that I’m finding it harder to swallow now, and I understand why they wanted to put that feeding tube back in me. I ask that you keep me in your prayers as I will keep you in mine. I’m not feeling all that great so I’m going to get some sleep for now. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me or should I say send me a message on this sight. I will look forward to hearing from you soon. Please take care of yourself and God bless you…..

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How long does recovery take after tongue cancer surgery and radiation?

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