I'm scared every day of my life, John, and I am three years out! No, my life is not the same as it was before I was diagnosed, but I do have a life, and I am so grateful for that. You WILL get through this even though some days will be absolute hell. I know that it's easy to say "don't worry" because of course you will worry. Things will get better, even though we can't say exactly when. We are all different, but we have all been through what you have been through, and we are all here for you.

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.