Hi Trinny,

Sorry to hear this. It is a shock when you first find out, you will be numb, it takes time to come to terms with it and you should not try to rush and overthink it, it can take a while to hit you. Did they give you a stage?

It's good that they have told you when your having the op, so you can get it taken out, that is all I wanted, for it to be removed as soon as possible.

I had similar surgery to you but it depends on the size of the lump, I was able to start eating solid foods again, after about three weeks, but after a couple of weeks I was able to do biscuits with tea, or mash and gravy. All of this time they gave me special drinks to replace normal foods and these helped a lot. When I first tried to eat after the op, the food fell to the bottom of my mouth, but it just takes practice over and over again, slowly you will return to normal. Just try to focus on the end result and take each day as it comes.

Have you seen a dietitian? you should see one prior to the op to discuss your current diet, they I think would be the best person to ask about eating and being pregnant. You could also see your GP to see if they might be able to provide any support. I could never remember anything the consultant said, my mind just went blank, it felt like a dream at times. Best thing to do it write down a list of questions you have, so that next time you see them you can ask without having to remember.

I have put a link below to another thread, there are lots of other people on there who had more experience that me so may be able to help you better.

www.cancerresearchuk.org/.../tongue-cancer-diagnosed-two-days-ago

Good luck with everything and keep us updated. All the best.

Hi Space

Thank you for your reply. I haven't been told a stage yet as the consultant rushed through my biopsy due to pregnancy and the bank holidays. I have got to have some more tests over this next week and he will meet with me again in a week or so to discuss everything. 

No one said anything about a dietician but thinking logically about it I'm sure I will have to meet with one.  

I must admit all I can think about is getting the op done and getting this lump out. I know it's not going to be easy after and I've got a long road ahead but I am determined to get through this. 

Thank you for the link I will check that out 

Trinny

sorry to hear your news but welcome to the forum

you certainly have a lot going on at the moment but sound as if you have a great support service with your NHS service

You are most probably being bombarded with a plethora of information and especially as you are pregnant, you are taking advice on board for two.

the moderators are more technically proficient in giving more medical related advice but I guess even this one will test their bank of knowlegde

my suggestion is to start to make a note of all the questions you have either on your phone or good old fashioned note book. Don't always save them up until your next meeting if you have something that is really cancerning you call them directly.

as for the operation yes things will be sore so not only will eating be a bit difficult but keeping your mouth clean to will be a bit sore .... I had to have a toungue biopsy a couple of weeks after coming out of 6 weeks of treatment for throat cancer and brushing my teeth around the area of the biopsy was very tender

as you have been diagnosed with cancer you will get all your meds free so make sure you get loads of mouthwash during this time

i doubt you will be having and radiation or chemo at this stage because of the pregnancy so although you might suffer some weight loss, but it won't be on a par if you were have those two treatments .... but I am no doctor

the hospital can give you some fortified drink supplements, they are full of calories but your team will advise if this is necessary

keep us up to date with how you get on

all the best and try and have a good easter

vatch

Hi Vatch 

thank you for your reply!

I can not fault the NHS for how quickly they have responded not only the Cancer specialist but also my midwife and obstetrician they are also reacting quickly and providing me with support and advice. 

I have been told to expect lots of post next week for test and pre admission information so it will all be go! The consultant did say I was a very unusual case because of the pregnancy. I know I will not be having reconstruction because of the pregnancy and how much pressure the extra hours in theatre could put on my body.  

To be honest I still feel like it is all a dream and that I am watching this happen to someone else but I am so lucky that I have such an amazing family who are here for me every step, coming on here and reading other people's stories also give me such hope.

Have a good Easter 

trinny 

Hi Kaz Thank you for your reply! I am feeling quite anxious and nervous this week as I am waiting for the scan results to stage the cancer. I am also getting quite worried about the operation and how I will feel after. So far I have a provisional plan of a planned c section on the 5th May and then the operation to remove the lump and lymph nodes on the 9th of May. How was your recovery in the hospital? How long did you have to stay? Currently I am exempt from prescription charges with a maternity exemption which I am greatful for because of all the prescriptions I had before they diagnosed cancer I would have been broke. Thank you again for taking the time to reply to me X Trinny

So today I just feel so sad. I was told by the obstetrician that the results of the MRI and CT scan show that there is spread to the lymph nodes and that the cancer is also in other tissue in my mouth. I have been trying to stay positive and as optimistic as I can be but I just can't seem to ever catch a break. I feel quite frustrated because the head and neck consultant hasn't even contacted me with the results and it was left to her to tell me. 

I'm not sure how or if this effects any plans I just feel so lost. 

I am being admitted on Friday morning for a planned c-section and then I need to be admitted to a surgical ward on Monday for the tongue operation and I feel so scared about everything. 

Sorry for moaning just feeling very negative 

Trinny 

Trinnu

NEVER EVER FEEL THAT YOU ARE MOANING ON THIS SITE

you are going through a hell of a lot at the moment and this site is here for you to voice anything how big or small

I noticed during my diagnosis that there is a load of worrying we do when we have those initial test and don't know what we have

then comes those immortal words "you have cancer" but the worry is now even worse as you know you know have cancer but no idea what the means and to what extent, and if you thought you were in unknown territory pre being told .... being told and still not knowing what's going on, it's even worse.

However even though the worry and frustration is the worst at this stage, you are on the home straight to getting your definitive answers and what you are really looking for a PLAN OF TREATMENT and a TIMESPAN OF TREATMENT. On receiving these two crucial pieces of information, with me, things became easier to proces.

i had a goal, I had an idea of what I was about to go through (having an idea and actually going through it though are quite different) and when it was going to happen, then you just start preparing yourself and your family to go through it

I am not sure if I introduced you to good friend of mine Nicola, who has gone through a similar tongue and mouth operation as yourself, she is a shining example of how to get through this and how life can be afterwards.....normal

drop her a bell I am sure sure will be a great source of comfort and knowledge

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-chat/thread/tongue-cancer-diagnosed-two-days-ago

shout if you just want to sound off though

vatch