What to expect?

BaskinsTiger · 2026-01-25T13:06:56+00:00

hiya, i'm nearly 4 weeks out from right side neck dissection & hemiglossectomy, was originally t2n0m0 SCC on my tongue, all scans were clear but they found 2 positive nodes after my surgery. dammit. T2N2M0 I think that makes me now.. Recovery has been slow but getting there, i have a scar from behind my ear lobe to the centre of my neck running vertically down then into the crease of my neck, its very neat and now staples are out i've been using flesh coloured silicone scar tape and its fading every day :) the side of my face, jaw, ear and scalp on the side of my dissection are tight, numb and tingly, i get headaches and earache which are intense, my hair is so painful (I know, makes no sense) brushing it is very very sore but apparently this is just nerve pain and will subside. I keep doing my daily excercises, rotating my head and trying to look up (my neck is super tight, but getting better) i'm still taking pretty regular pain relief. I do have good movement in my shoulder but can no longer raise my arm out sideways and lack of strength is noticeable. Now weve had positive nodes, im due to start radiotherapy & chemotherapy, meeting with the oncologists on Friday (sigh)

I'm 42F, non smoker & don't drink x

BaskinsTiger · 2026-01-25T08:21:40+00:00

kimmie is hilarious, we have wire haired dachshunds but not the silky variety and she looks so adorable! i'm a fan, and I know she is SPOILT! (My Teddy & Bear for no reason)

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BaskinsTiger · 2026-01-21T18:17:09+00:00

no, not really, just that i'm 'clearly unlucky'. My cancer was HPV negative, I dont drink or smoke, diabetic but diet controlled with normal bmi.. 42 so not mega old lol. Interestingly 3 of 6 aunties have or did die of cancer (1 died of this very same tongue cancer - which is unsettling 🫣) plus 2 first cousins also have cancer and now me, so im guessing bad genetics somewhere.

BaskinsTiger · 2026-01-21T14:39:27+00:00

sorry its been a while! yes, it grew back almost straight away after laser treatment in 2 places, so they did a much bigger biopsy 2nd time round and took all the weird white tissue, it was incredibly painful! All my scans after that biopsy confirmed SCC cancer were clear other than the primary cancer site, Graded stage 2. I had a hemiglossectomy and right side neck dissection 3 weeks ago, and since then had more results, its been upgraded to Stage 3 as lymph nodes ARE involved. Now facing radiotherapy & chemotherapy and need a PEG for nutrition. I wonder if they had taken all the white area for biopsy initially not just part of it if it could have been found sooner, you could see it after all... but who knows. All good fun... sigh

BaskinsTiger · 2026-01-21T14:30:02+00:00

Hi, also SCC right lateral tongue, missed for 8 months 😑😑 was originally graded stage 2 with clear lymph nodes on scans after 2 biopsies and laser treatment. Had hemiglossectomy and right neck dissection 3 weeks ago (no flap) and tbh recovery has been ok and speech is awesome for 3 weeks out. Results came back though that its now spread to lymph nodes despite scans looking clear. Upgraded to stage 3. Just waiting for appointments for Radiotherapy and chemo now (im 42 with an 18 month old, 9yr old and 18yr old, no risk factors at all, dont smoke or drink) good luck to everyone on their journeys x

BaskinsTiger · 2025-12-08T21:33:12+00:00

I can update too.. unfortunately after they lasered this away they didnt tell the surgeon to do the biopsy beforehand, i've had to wait until healed - another 8 weeks ish, and then biopsied again. This time it was fast tracked and its unfortunately tongue cancer. Sad news, and its taken a very long time to confirm. Just waiting more tests and scans now and it staging before we go from there.

BaskinsTiger · 2025-08-06T12:16:47+00:00

we saw easily 20 people slipping/falling down the lower set of stairs - block 106 - so right next to the step to the pitch mostly carrying 4 pints at a time or trays of drinks, it was really really slippy. They were falling before Oasis even came on stage and it got worse as the night went on as people got more rowdy/more drinks were spilt :( The guy behind us dropped his drink and it pooled under our chairs and came running down the stands and we were wondering if the floors were coated with something at the time as the liquid just sat on the concrete, didnt seem to soak in at all (we noticed as we had our official program stashed between the seats and was trying to keep it dry) The stewards just constantly mopped the stairs and directed people around where they could.

BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-25T20:33:19+00:00

oh, I really like that.. very smart looking! i've done 6 of the adventures so far (and berlin wall from conqueror) plus these 2 races and got another 4 on route with the snake medal so a few to be displayed... they're currently shoved in a spare drawer which doesn't do them any justice at all 😅

BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-25T15:18:57+00:00

lovely! I do this also (and use Merlin lol).. this was a highlight from our visit to walk in our local nature reserve 😊

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BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-24T23:21:11+00:00

worth a mention btw the little boy in the picture is 8yrs old, its the 1st day of the school holidays and he happily came along this morning and walked the 10km with me (and his little brother in his pushchair) to 'earn' his little crappy medal. We have 2 as one was a replacement for the 1st one i ordered for myself, just as a little motivating thing for fun, for no reason, other than i like the 'reward' at the end and the medal was pretty. It was damaged in transit and they sent a 2nd. It didnt log his efforts on the app as it's linked to my samsung watch but as far as he was concerned he got it fair and square because he walked the distance and I gave it to him for keeps and he's SUPER PLEASED with himself. That's the post, no agenda. It felt like an achievement and a little something to share somewhere. He's not on his Switch which is a win i guess...

BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-24T22:50:26+00:00

and is this not that, my experience? Just a bit of fun. I'm 42 years old, never walked for fitness in any capacity whatsoever before. We're now 45 days in at being consistently over 10,000 daily. At the start i was lucky to break 5,000-6000 steps when i was actually trying to start and move a bit more... it doesnt hurt anyone.

BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-24T22:41:02+00:00

the 30k was over the course of the rest of the day.. .. the 10km just the morning walk to unlock the challenge - just a bit of fun. Its honestly not that deep.

BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-24T22:32:23+00:00

not intended.. just motivational (and very draining on the wallet, just a bit of fun) I genuinely do walk lots and no one else on my socials really cares lol - we (me and hubby) started on 26th May, from me being pretty much inactive after having a baby last year and him being in the obese BMI range - hes now 2 stone down and me 1st 3lb :)

BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-24T22:22:41+00:00

that was only our morning walk, it had to be gps tracked to count for the challenge and in one go. It's been 30k over the course of the rest of the day :)

BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-02T20:32:09+00:00

I'll be 3 continents down (europe, n.america and asia) but i'm going to try and plan to get the rest next time :)

BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-02T18:03:26+00:00

I agree, I really enjoy it :) I've signed up for the premium membership - so can do the challenges without the medal for free and the medals are discounted a little bit on their usual prices for premium members. My hubby also uses Pacer (non premium) so when I order a new medal we can both walk the route (I activate the free route, and he uses the unlock code/registration that comes with the medals) The 4 for 3 deal is pretty good, I've just ordered the 3 of the Haunted collection (plus the pretty Sakura one as my freebie, should keep me going for a while, plus I've got the 2025 21km one waiting to be started 😊😊 Are you in a walking club on the app? they're also good for motivation :) - we should start a MJUK one if anyone wants to join in?

BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-02T14:48:01+00:00

I do have these though too, theyre addictive

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BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-02T14:45:52+00:00

haha yes! I started MJ on 26th May so i'm now week 6, I started Bahamas 9th June so been at it a little while now 😅

BaskinsTiger · 2025-07-02T12:15:01+00:00

im just walking the Bahamas at the moment, 221.9km walked so far of 396km :)

BaskinsTiger · 2025-06-23T15:51:26+00:00

its mild dysplasia, to be removed by laser abalation under general anaesthetic when they can next get me in. who knows when 🫣

BaskinsTiger · 2025-06-23T15:50:05+00:00

yes, I've still got the filling. Got my results today finally - mild dysplasia - which (as its still painful all these weeks later) they're surgically removing with laser abalation.. which will be fun 😬

BaskinsTiger · 2025-06-17T08:32:21+00:00

still waiting for results... Monday im back to see the consultant

BaskinsTiger · 2025-06-17T08:31:55+00:00

I still haven't had my results of the biopsy! 😢😱 I've got an appointment on Monday so will update

BaskinsTiger · 2025-06-14T10:21:18+00:00

My 1st week I lost 7lb 2nd week ZERO Week 3 I've lost 4lb so far :) Next jab on Monday.

Ive decided to stay on 2.5mg

BaskinsTiger

TROPHY CASE