Hello, my name is Karon, and I am a two-time oral cancer survivor. This is my first time to post on a web chat. My first incidence of cancer was in 2004, and I subsequently had surgical excision, with radical neck dissection. The pathology reports were great - clean margins, clean nodes - so no other treatments were added. Other than seeing the surgical oncologist every 3 months, nothing changed.

At my regular check-up in October of 2006, my surgeon biopsied a suspicious lesion. Unfortunately, it revealed a re-occurance of squamous cell CA on the same side of the tongue and in the same basic area as the first one. I underwent a second surgical excision with a flap graft on 11/8/07. Following surgery, I was referred to a wonderful radiation oncologist. I underwent IMRT over the Christmas Holidays last year. Imagine listening to all those carols while freezing your bum off in the IMRT room! Gives a whole new meaning to "Frosty the Snowman!"

I lost almost 40 pounds, never had to have a PEG tube (thank God!), and didn't eat solid food until May, 2007. My biggest problem now is the constant dry mouth. I, too, spend more time in the bathroom than before, and I get up so often during the night for the ever-dreaded potty run that the dog doesn't even wake up anymore!

Through all of this, my incredible family has been there for me - my BS (beloved spouse) and two wonderful (grown) daughters. I couldn't have survived without them. My "normal" day is now so very different than it was a year ago. My family laughs at my ever-growing supply of oral care products. They have learned my hand signals for "give me water NOW!" They are adjusting to my selection of soup recipes. I follow primarily a soft diet, without much in the way of meat because of dry mouth and swallowing issues.

I wake up in the morning, tongue stuck to my teeth or to the roof of my mouth, jaws sore, and sinuses stuffed. But I thank God, because I'm on THIS side of the dirt!