I am a 34 year old mother of two..recently diagnosed with cancer ..tumor in my tongue. had partial neck disection with node removal 7 years ago and now has returned. i recently had half of my tongue removed...speech is difficult and hard to understand but i can swallow with minimal problems. I am fixing to start radiation for 2 months every day with 3 rounds of chemo. The side effects sound horrific i have huge anxiety whwn i swallow and feel like ia m suffocating..i dont know what is in store for me my md says....the most difficult thing i have ever endured....i have autoimmune problems an d have been through lots of hospitalizations...so his remark terrifies me....just want to talk to someone who can relate...

Hello peenk, and welcome to OCF! I cannot personally relate to your diagnosis, as it differs from my dear husband's, but he did have radical neck isection/node removal, followed by chemo & radiation.

You are so very young and you can DO THIS! We're here to help you in any way possible. There are many here who care and will do their best to answer any questions you may have.

Lois & Buzz in NC

Dear Peenk - I'm so glad you found this site. There are lots of great people here to help you get thru this, and all the latest information available, too. Everybody reacts differently to radiation and some have a much easier time of it. You have youth on your side so you can fight this! It does help to have someone go with you to the treatments or whenever your doctor consults with you so that you can make sure and remember what was said and for support as well. If the anxiety gets to be too much, tell your doctor about this and maybe he can recommend something that will help. Stay close and keep posting and let us know what's happening.