Cheryl,
You said it so well! You, too, Wanda. Yes. It will get better. You probably won't ever be exactly the same, but think of positive things coming up in your life...the show tickets, just to name one thing, for example. I am nearly 67 years old, had stage IV when I was diagnosed, and had surgery, radiation, and chemo. Was it awful? Yes it was but I am still glad to be alive. I retired a little over a year ago and I volunteer for my church, my Kiwanis club, and just became President of our local Friends of the Library, which I actually started. Three years ago I was just beginning radiation and it was the worst summer of my life. I'm not 100% and I don't know if I ever will be, but for the most part, life is good. You have received some very good advice here, please listen to it! You are young, and that really is in your favor.


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.