Hi Sequoyah,

Welcome to OCF and I am sorry to read of your cancer experience. I was also diagnosed at 52 yrs old and surprised. I was not a smoker, light drinker, physically active my whole life (ultra-marathons, mountain climbing, surfing, etc). I ignored a sore on my tongue for many months, best guess, about a year. I had on Dentist early take a look and he said "let's keep an eye on that." but really it is my bad. I knew there was something wrong but had never heard of tongue cancer until meeting with my H&N doctor.

I had surgery followed by radiation in 2020. It was a long process and recovery was many months. Some issues, like food flavors, took more that a year to recover. Within a couple years, I had my full life back and then some. Some flavors, like medium or strong spicy food, are still a no go for me. But, running, surfing, work, social life, all that is full swing. Occasionally, I need to stick my finger in my mouth to clear out some food that is stuck or similar. But, I hide behind a napkin. It works. My speech has a slight lisp but nothing too bad and they took half of my original tongue. This took many months to get my speech back. It also took many months to learn how to manipulate food again.

The blessing was my faith. As a result of my cancer experience, I was able to experience life and God in ways I never could before. My purpose has refocused and I have more peace and joy in my life than before.

I don't want to mislead you. Cancer sucked and surgery and treatments sucked. There is not a day that I don't experience some sort of cancer related challenge (speech, food, pain in my neck, jaw, root canals, etc) but I am happier and more content than ever. Sending positive thoughts and prayers that your process brings you back to full health and joy quickly.

Stay safe and keep the faith,
Nels

Hi GELIBBY,

Welcome to OCF. I am so sorry to read of your wife's diagnosis and difficulties with surgery and treatment. I had similar surgery followed with radiation but no chemo about five years ago. Like your wife, I had lived a healthy lifestyle for 52 years, no smoking, social drinking, always physically active. My wife and I were stunned by this diagnosis.

But, I can tell you there is hope. Like Chris shared, surgery recovery was quicker and I could see improvement daily/weekly. Radiation recovery was more weekly/monthly to notice improvement especially with food. Some flavors took many months and years to come back. Some still elude me such as wine or alcohol. I suggest keeping a journal. It helped me clear my thoughts but was also good when I needed to see how far I had come. Sometimes, I would get down on myself, thinking I hadn't seen much improvement, I would pull out my book or watch an old video, and realize I had come farther than I thought!

Today, I have all the important parts of my life back - time with loved ones, work, speech (minor lisp), travel, most foods, surfing, jogging. And, some parts have improved. For example, my faith life has blossomed greatly. I see my purpose and sources of joy completely differently now.

This is a long recovery. It's hard to be patient but keep doing the work. Improvement will come.

Stay safe and keep the faith,
Nels

Hi Tim,

Welcome to OCF and I am so sorry to hear of your cancer surgery and related challenges. There is hope.

I went through similar surgery and radiation about 5 years ago. It took many months, but, yes, I have nearly all my previous life back. I was back to full time work about 3-4 months after, was surfing and jogging about 2-3 months after. Food took months and years. Some flavors still escape me and spices have to be kept on the low end. My speech is still slightly slurred but not too bad. Strangers understand me well. I noticed recovery from surgery improved on a daily/weekly schedule where radiation was a much slower recovery more weekly and monthly.

Some of my life is better than before. I don't sweat the small stuff as much. I am more present with the people in my life. My faith life took a huge step forward and changed, or maybe you could say revealed, my purpose at this stage of life.

Keep a journal, written and video, so you can reference improvement. When I took the time to look back, I would see I had come further than I thought. Plus, it helped me clear my thoughts and share them.

I am in Huntington Beach. Are you also in Southern Cal?

Stay safe and keep the faith,
Nels