Hi...Prior to my cancer, I was a RN and pastor. I was diagnosed with stage 3 tongue cancer in 2014. While waiting a month for surgery, my cancer went from the left base of the tongue to the right. Yee haw!😁 I had bilateral neck dissection with a free arm flap and skin grafts followed with chemoradiation. The partial glossesectomy left me with ⅓ of my tongue. Had a trach for 10 months and a gastric feeding tube for 1 yr. The radiation left me with lymph edema for over a year and now dental problem and severe swallowing problems.. Though all of this sounds awful, and, let's be honest, it is! I've survived and thrived because of my faith, good humor, and great surgeons! Everyday is a struggle but it is one I'll gladly take on because I'm here... I'm alive. Last year,I moved, bought a house, and will begin working with head and neck cancer patients at a local hospital. I want others to know it will get better but we first must heal by never giving up or reading the statistics, etc. I was told I'd never talk or eat again because, anatomically, it wasn't possible. That was 11/14. I'm eating and talking because I refused to accept that I couldn't, I never even entertained the notion I wouldn't be able to do them. So, I'm excited to see what tomorrow brings even though my difficulty swallowing is a pain.ðŸĪŠ Life is to be lived and I plan on living it fully! Blessings!!

I'm so thankful to be alive! I want others to know there is always hope, even in the direst circumstances. My tongue cancer was agressive and ⅔ of my tongue was removed. I was told I'd never talk or eat again and, I am able to do both. Yes, it is difficult, but doable! So, always have hope! 😊