Good for you, Brazilliangirl! Well said! When I finished radiation, they asked me if I wanted to keep my mask, and I said no, but now I wish that I had kept it., if nothing else other than to show people what we oral cancer survivors go through. People really have no clue, no matter how supportive and kind that they try to be.
Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.
