Good luck with your surgery! I am 25, no risk factors, etc, so I completely understand how you are feeling! I had my surgery 6 1/2 mos ago, then chemo and radiation, and I am back to work and feeling great! I was very scared also, but I got through it and so can you. The surgery was probably the hardest part for me, but you will heal quickly being so young. I was extremely concerned about my speech, but even that got better over time, and my impediment is hardly noticeable (and continually improving). Feel free to reach out to me if you need anything - if you need advice or just want to vent. Hang in there! The days before my surgery were definitely the worst part.


Emily - 24 years old at diagnosis
HPV-, no risk factors
T2N2b Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Left oral tongue, poorly differentiated
Hemiglossectamy, reconstruction, partial neck dissection
30 Radiation treatments, weekly chemo (cisplatin)
1/13/12 last day of treatment
Diagnosed October 2011