Part of my problem is my teeth are in such bad shape, so the food gets caught in my teeth and sticks, making eating in public not very pleasant. I also look pretty good right now, so people have trouble believing that I still have issues. I can usually manage eating at home, because I can take my time. This cancer certainly sucks, even when you are doing fairly well. On the plus side, I saw both of my oncologists yesterday, and they feel that I am doing well enough that I don't have to go back until November, unless I have some problems in the meantime.


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.