Hello!
I am so impressed with this website! I only wish I had known about it when I was diagnosed and going through treatment( My what a scary and life altering experience!)
I was diagnosed in May 2002 with SCC of my epiglottis stage 2 at the age of 38. No nodes were involved(Thank God). No surgery,but an intense 7 weeks of radiation. Had it not been for nursing my Dad through his SCC of the tongue not 2 years before, I probably would not have sought medical help when I did. I thank the Lord every day that I went with my gut feeling and had it looked at. I am proud to say I am a 2 year and 9 month cancer survivor! Other than the nasty long term effects of the radiation,dry mouth,altered sense of taste,muscle spasms and who can forget those good ole fluoride trays I wear at night, I feel better now than I have in a long time!
If there is anyway I can help someone out there,Please let me do so! I was so misinformed about the REAL side effects of radiation.I sometimes think if I had known what to truly expect going into it( peg tube,weight loss,dehydration,so many other things) I wouldn't have been so scared........and then again maybe not, who knows.I would just rather have known more than the fact I would have a sore throat.Again I want to say what a remakable website. The Best of Luck to those going through treatment and to the ones who have already been!
Darla Townsend