I struggled with pain even 7 years out. Radiation gives and gives.....

Up until this February I had bad nerve damage. But at that time they removed my tongue and did a tongue flap. But now I have neck pain from my second neck dissection. I take lortab for that. Sadly, I believe I will be on pain meds for the rest of my life.

Age 44. Diagnosed at 34 (2006) with T1N0 SCC tongue on right side. Neck dissed & 6 weeks Radiation. 30% tongue removed. Never smoked;
2nd recurrence 1/2013 on left side. Surgery to remove 2/2013 forearm flap/neck dissec T1N0; brachytherapy 4/2013;
3rd recurrence 11/2015 mandibulectomy for jaw bone cancer Stage IV/no lymph node involvement