# Rotten lousy oral cancer **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 19, 2005, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118 "2005-07-19T08:54:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/21 "2005-07-19T20:32:27Z")
Kick it in the nuts! ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2005, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/22 "2005-07-19T20:36:18Z")
Vaya con Dios LouisB. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/23 "2005-07-19T21:46:04Z")
My most sincere thanks to all concerned for the good thoughts and prayers. I just got back from the ENT—he pulled some strings for me and got my throat scanned this afternoon. Now we have to wait a couple of days for the results but he was cautiously optimistic. According to him, the cancerous area is “about the size of a nickel” but he can’t tell how deep into the tongue it penetrates. He doesn’t think my throat has become involved, but can’t really know until the results of the scan are in. He said the difficulty with swallowing was a consequence of the tonge being swollen by the cancer. At any rate, he believes he can get it all with surgery, and prefers to save the radiation until it is necessary. He did say I would lose a large chunk of tongue, but it wouldn’t impact my speech “too much.” I don’t have much to say anyway. Pending the results of the scan, we will schedule surgery within the next week or so; hopefully I’ll only be hospitalized a couple of days. I feel greatly relieved; I really thought I was as good as gone—I’m 65, after all, and having had it three times before, I figured my luck had run out. Of course, not being told flat out that I was about out of time took a lot of stress away. So, now I’ll wait for the scan and the surgery, but it does look better than it did this morning. To those who asked, yes, I did smoke—for something like forty years and right through the first three surgeries. I never said I was a fast learner. Given that I did become a drug addict, I probably did harbor a death wish. I am eternally grateful that Marcie saw something and salvaged me; without her influence I would undoubtedly be dead by now. For the smokers who read this thread----quit. Just quit. Don’t put yourselves through what I’ve experienced. Again, thanks again for the kind words, wishes and prayers. After the surgery is finished, I will post the results. May the Everywhere Spirit bless you all. ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2005, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/24 "2005-07-19T22:47:30Z")
I am glad to hear things are looking up. My best wishes to you! ---
**Author:** ![Indyellen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/indyellen/32/4176_2.png) [@Indyellen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indyellen)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/25 "2005-07-19T23:01:19Z")
**LouisB** , I’m definately keeping you in my thoughts. I can’t give any kind of medical opinion, as IANAMD, but I work for an ENT practice up here who specializes in head & neck cancers. If you need someone to talk to (who deals with these patients on a daily basis) - especially regarding insurance/billing/claim issues and/or would like any names in your neck of the woods if you need a second opinion, feel free to email me out of my profile. Good luck… ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/26 "2005-07-19T23:36:15Z")
Bravery isn’t fearlessness, it’s going ahead with what you think you should do in spite of being afraid. Congratulations on being brave. And, my best wishes and good luck! ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/27 "2005-07-20T01:26:45Z")
Good Luck **LouisB** I’m praying for a swift and full recovery for you. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/28 "2005-07-20T01:44:39Z")
Best of luck, man. I hope everything comes out okay. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/29 "2005-07-20T02:56:31Z")
Well, that’s better news. Godspeed, my friend. You may have a rough journey ahead but you know if anyone can beat it, it’ll be you. Now, go kick some cancerous booty! ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2005, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/30 "2005-07-20T14:19:01Z")
Surgery has been scheduled for Thursday, July 28. I wish it could be tomorrow just to get it over with. Thanks again for the kind thoughts; I will make the results of the surgery known as soon as possible—I think I won’t feel all that whoopy for a day or two following. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/31 "2005-07-21T01:03:36Z")
I will be thinking about you on Thursday- it’s the day before my birthday. The one that, thanks to my smoking and various other addictions, I was never supposed to reach. There has not been a hard time invented that we cannot handle. I know it. Debbie, drug-free since 1991, smoke-free since 1992 and hoping like hell she’s clear of any dangers… ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/32 "2005-07-21T02:29:46Z")
Good luck ! ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/33 "2005-07-21T06:18:16Z")
On the off chance that you’re still home and can access this, good luck! (One of the nice things about having a bunch of insomniac idiots like me on the Straight Dope is that you can get good wishes 24-7.) I’m glad you’re treatable and hope like hell that you’re curable. Don’t feel badly about having taken such a long time to quit. Addiction is a bitch, aint it? People that haven’t been there don’t know, and people who haven’t had the joy of quitting REALLY don’t know how good it can feel. If I ever get my eating disorder under control, I will gladly tell anyone the depths to which it has dragged me (trust me, they already KNOW it’s bad; they just don’t know exactly HOW bad.) Thank god, I have managed to quit smoking, though. My beloved wife died of HIV from having been an injectable drug addict. She quit drinking, drugging and smoking, but she always said she was proudest of having quit smoking. Again, all the best. Co-worker’s nephew had surgery and treatment such as you describe (cancer of tongue and jaw; I’m not sure how far into the throat it went) and he’s doing fine and without noticeable speech impairment. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/34 "2005-07-21T12:20:26Z")
Keep cool, keep with the Doc’s program, keep us Updated, & mostly keep on keepin’ on. You can beat this, buckaroo. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/35 "2005-07-21T12:28:44Z")
Continuing prayers for you and your recovery, and comfort for you and your family. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/36 "2005-07-21T17:22:54Z")
Very best wishes and good thoughts coming your way! ---
**Author:** ![OldBroad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@OldBroad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldBroad)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/37 "2005-07-21T18:46:50Z")
Oh, **LouisB** , I hope the ENT’s estimate is right on target. May all the forces be with you on this one. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/38 "2005-07-21T21:38:36Z")
Remember, if your speech is affected at all, you can always fall back on italian hand gestures to get your point across! Good Luck! ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/39 "2005-07-21T21:57:27Z")
I talked to the ENT man earlier today. According to him, the CAT scan shows my throat is normal; no signs of cancer. I feel as if an anvil has been lifted from my back. Plus, because there are no signs of throat cancer, I will probably be discharged from the hospital after an overnight stay and MAYBE even the same day as the surgery. It begins to sound as if the oral surgeon and I whistled up a tempest in a tea pot. Better to be overly concerned than blindly optimistic, I guess. I wish we could expedite the surgery, but Thursday the 28th is the earliest. So now I have to sit and wait but at least I don’t have to worry as much as before. I really did think it might all be over----the good wishes and prayers of all of you played a big part in this; of that I am convinced. It never hurts to have the home crowd rooting for you. I wish I could adequately thank all of you but I don’t have the words. Please know I am very grateful, not only for the good thoughts but for the offers of assistance as well. If anything more develops, I will update this. If not, I will just hunker down and wait for Thursday. After the surgery (and a little recovery) I will post the results. Again, thanks more than I can say. ---
**Author:** ![DeVena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dec6dc/32.png) [@DeVena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeVena)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2005, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118/40 "2005-07-21T22:26:19Z")
That is great news! But don’t worry, prayers and healing thoughts are still being sent to you. Good luck! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rotten-lousy-oral-cancer/313118.md?page=3)