Hello to all my fighting Oral Cancer soldiers, their Caregivers and to all the Amazing contributers that help the OCF stay alive. My name is Brandon and I was diagnosed with Stage III SCC of my R Lateral Tongue on 6/17/14. I have completed my Radial Free Flap/ Neck Dissection surgery on 8/11/14 along with surviving the harsh hitting Radiation/Chemo on 11/4/14. Many of you have heard of my story from my caregiving Sister Ashley (AK123), where would I be without her and all of your help? Lol well I decided to join this site to give you guys my insight of my journey and to ask a few more questions in 1st person (no more 3rd person haha :P)

I had a 10 hour surgery performed by a Comprehensive Cancer Center, along with a 10 day hospital day, that is just a blur to me now. I definitely panicked a lot more than I should have. I left the hospital on 8-20, and started my 33x rads, 2x cisplatin and 1x carboplatin on 9-15-14. After the 3rd week I had severe mucositis on my tongue and my inner cheeks/throat. I couldn't keep up with hydrating myself and proper nutrition as RADIATION was BRUTAL on me. I was forced to get a PEG tube on 10-21-14 and recently got it pulled on 1-9-15.

I'm eating a lot of foods by mouth, but having troubles with Hot, Spicy, and Sour foods. I also find myself swishing down dry foods like chips, bread, dry meats, pizza etc. with water as my Salivary Glands are toasted. I hope my Xerostomia gets a little better along with my Lymphedoma.

Thank you all for welcoming me to this very caring Big Family. I will be posting my questions on the General Board forum soon.
-Brandon