CT Scan Clear! Surgery It Is!

Good news! The CT scan was clear -- no signs of any more cancer anywhere in my head, neck, or chest. Aunt Linda, Jeanette, and I just met with Dr. Irish and Dr. O'Sullivan and they agree that surgery is the best option. It likely won't be scheduled until after Christmas.

The question then became whether to have the tongue surgery only or to also have a neck dissection (to remove the lmyph nodes on the left side). Although the CT scan was clear, there is about a 20% chance there could be cancer cells on a microscopic level. The neck surgery would leave a significant scar, result in permanent numbness in that area of the neck, and possible loss of feeling in part of my lip.

Although it was tempting to say yes to the neck option as an all-out assualt on the cancer, I've decided against it. The 80% odds of a cancer-free neck are very good, and even if cancer does turn up down the road (I'll have another CT scan three months after the surgery, and then check ups every months in the year following), I can have the neck surgery at that time and it will be equally as effective if I have it now.

This is all great news. No six weeks of radiation therapy. No missing Christmas. No loss of taste buds. Who knew three weeks of pain recovering from tongue surgery could sound so appealing?