Asking a favor...

[ShirleyC]

I want to ask you all to remember me in your prayers. I've had some heartbreaking news. I've had these places on my tongue for a few years called Leukoplakia with mild/moderate dysplasia. My dr. told me to watch them and if anything changed, to come back. So I was a little concerned and went in for a check-up on Mar. 4.

He put me in this past Monday to take a deeper biopsy, and it is malignant. He seems to think it is confined to the tongue. We met with Dr. Ghali on Tuesday about my surgery. He explained the procedure. My surgery is scheduled for May 7. It should last about 10 hours, and I will be in the hospital around 8 days. I’ll be in ICU for about 3 days because of not being allowed to move while the healing begins. I will be tube fed for 5 or 6 days, and I will also have a trac.

He will go in and start by cutting out a section of my tongue, and then they will do the freeze test to check for cancer cells. When he gets to a point where there is none, he will stop.

Then he and the other dr. will take a section of my forearm right above my wrist where the big vein is and graft that to the tongue. The tongue will have immediate blood flow. They will graft a piece of skin from my upper arm over the forearm.

They will also cut into my neck right below my jaw bone and take out the lymph nodes on that side. If there is no cancer in there, I will not have to have radiation.

The type of cancer is called Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and people who smoke or drink are prone to have these, but I do neither. I am in a very low percentile.
He said in 3 months no one should be able to tell that I had surgery, including me, except for the scar on my arm. It is not supposed to affect my speech.
We did see a lady Tuesday who was 2 weeks post opt with the same surgery, and she was talking, so that made us feel better.
I will be going for a CT scan soon, and do all my other labs and stuff on Apr. 15.
This has hit my family very hard, but we are all trying to stay positive.

[Sew So Happy]

I just said a prayer for you! May God touch you and just put you at peace with all this. You will be fine, I know it! We will be thinking of you.

[artsiegirl]

I'm praying for you, and I'm sending out a message to my prayer warrior friends as well. One of my dearest friend's husband just came through a battle with throat cancer, and he's now doing great. They gave him little hope for recovery to begin with, but through much prayer and excellent physicians' care...he's been given a clean bill of health this month! I do believe in healing and the power of prayer. I will be sure to set up a reminder in my computer to be in prayer as you are going through the scans on the 15th and then the surgery on the 7th. May God bless you and give you peace as you are awaiting your procedures.

[Sew 'N Sane]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you go through this difficult time. Just remember that God works in mysterious ways and you never know what wonderful things he has planned for you at the end of this journey.

[rodneytb]

ShirleyC, you and your family are in my prayers, too, along with your doctors and caregivers, for a speedy and complete recovery for you and for peace and calmness as you prepare for the surgery.
Martha

[rosebud314]

Shirley, you and your family will be in my prayers.

[NJMo]

In my thoughts and prayers for as long as it takes to get you back and going again... and then just because...

[nanamcd]

You can count on me, too, ShirleyC. Not only will I be praying, but I will pass this to a couple of prayer groups so those warriors can also be praying for you. You will have many, many believers standing on your behalf and expecting good results from your procedures. Big hugs to you, and I'm off to say a prayer.

[tflosses4u]

...it sounds like you have great dr.'s and you have many friends also who have you in their thoughts and prayers..you have many coming from me!

[craftmama]

Shirley,
Your news affects everyone here as we really are like a family. My family and I will keep you and yours in our prayers. God Bless.
Diana

[hardworkfhe]

Shirley will be praying for you and your family.

[StitchinGrandma]

Shirley ~ I'm sorry to hear about this for you and your family to be dealing with it. I will send lots of prayers and healing vibes your way. Big hugs!

[stitchcrazy]

Shirley - Stay strong and keep that positive attitude. God heals us in so many ways and I'm sure he's keeping watch on you now. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

[Carlene]

Shirley thank you for letting us know! Please please stay strong! You can get through this! I think the hardest part will be the wait to have it done!
Hugs!

[Becca]

Shirley,
I pray that today you feel God's peace and strength ~ His peace and strength that goes beyond all understanding. We are here for you, standing alongside all of you as this battle begins.
Hugs,
Becca

[windwillow]

Shirley C.,
A big hug and lots of prayers for you and yours during this ordeal, I am adding you to our prayer list. Keep in good spirits my friend we all are routing for the very best. God speed in your recovery. Keep us posted as you can...God Bless...

[just_teachin]

Prayers sent, not only for you, but for your family and the medical personnel as well.

[Cynelle]

Prayers for you and your family! i hope everything works out for the best.

[windwillow]

Has anyone heard from Shirley C? I was wandering how she is and I wanted her to know my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

[StitchinGrandma]

Has anyone heard from Shirley C? I was wandering how she is and I wanted her to know my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

She's being quiet I think and just reading maybe. I know I would be. That's very tough news to deal with. I'm sure she's "out there" reading along though and hope she's doing well.

She did just post 2 days ago so maybe this will bring her back to post and let us know how she's doing.

[ShirleyC]

Thanks friends,
I've been here off and on. I have been so exhausted after returning to school, and now I'm trying to teach, gets grades, keep the kids busy and calm, and get stuff ready for a sub for the last two weeks of school. My last day will be May 2.

I've also been trying to get a couple of beach towels decorated for my grandbaby's birthday party that will be here at my house tomorrow. She will be one on the 18th.

I appreciate your thoughts and prayers. I meet with the other doctor from the team on Tuesday, and do all of the fun paperwork and lab tests (again). The surgery is scheduled for May 7.

[JET]

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. God Bless

[debi@thebeach]

Shirley~ I had melanoma and I pray that your surgery, test, etc. will turn out as well as mine did. The Lord is truly merciful!

[Carlene]

ShirleyC just wanted to say chin up girlfriend!

Hugs,
Carlene

[Alligator]

I will keep you in my prayers. Good luck and God bless.

[ccdoster]

Will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I'm glad your dr. caught it. Post us an update so we know your A-OK.