Hi...Prior to my cancer, I was a RN and pastor. I was diagnosed with stage 3 tongue cancer in 2014. While waiting a month for surgery, my cancer went from the left base of the tongue to the right. Yee haw!😁 I had bilateral neck dissection with a free arm flap and skin grafts followed with chemoradiation. The partial glossesectomy left me with ⅓ of my tongue. Had a trach for 10 months and a gastric feeding tube for 1 yr. The radiation left me with lymph edema for over a year and now dental problem and severe swallowing problems.. Though all of this sounds awful, and, let's be honest, it is! I've survived and thrived because of my faith, good humor, and great surgeons! Everyday is a struggle but it is one I'll gladly take on because I'm here... I'm alive. Last year,I moved, bought a house, and will begin working with head and neck cancer patients at a local hospital. I want others to know it will get better but we first must heal by never giving up or reading the statistics, etc. I was told I'd never talk or eat again because, anatomically, it wasn't possible. That was 11/14. I'm eating and talking because I refused to accept that I couldn't, I never even entertained the notion I wouldn't be able to do them. So, I'm excited to see what tomorrow brings even though my difficulty swallowing is a pain.🤪 Life is to be lived and I plan on living it fully! Blessings!!

Welcome to OCF, Tina! Its always great having fellow survivors join our ranks. Your post is helpful to others who are in treatment and are struggling. Thanks for sharing your experiences with our family

Hey...it's great to here your story of faith and blessings. I too was a pastor. I was in youth ministry for 15 years. Your attitude is so "on". I look forward to seeing your input. Be Blessed as you reach out to others!