Hey, everybody, I never smoked in my life, was a very casual drinker, and I was also tested for HPV when I had my surgery. The test was negative, so I have no idea why I got it! My surgeon told me that there is a percentage of women around my age who get it, but don't fit any of the patterns. He said that it could likely be a virus of some sort, one that they haven't even discovered yet.

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.