I am so fortunate that I have such a great support group. Not only my family and friends, but my church family and my community. I was the town librarian until I retired in 2011, and the community rallied around me 5 years ago at my first diagnosis. It was overwhelming. When I retired, there was an open house for me at the library, and even my congresswoman came. I live in a wonderful town with truly amazing people.

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.