It's only fair, if someone searches on m.e.c. to share that this event 37 years ago was not a cakewalk.

The surgery involved an incision that ran along the lower outside gum line inside my mouth, through to the neck on the outside and thus peeling my left face back for access to the area aft of my teeth. Sorry I can't think of a gentler term <g>. The tumor excision area was covered by a skin graft removed from my thigh. (Still no leg hair growing in my mouth!)

Healing took an entire summer, with lots of time to watch all of the coverage of the Apollo 11 trip to the moon. After effects: to this day I can't open my mouth as wide as I once did. That summer there were lots of homemade energy/high calorie/protein drinks prepared by my mother - there weren't many commercial versions available back then!

Due to the invasion into my sinus, I'm told my voice took on a different tone, but not so bad I guess - I currently sing in the Colorado Symphony Chorus!

Some years after the surgery I had cosmetic surgery to lessen the appearance of the scar - there seemed no need to be reminded any longer. But my awareness has risen in recent years with all the attention on Lance Armstrong's survivorship advocacy, and now having found this site. I feel I have no "needs" as a survivor, but if I can help someone even a little by just supplying my story and kinship, that's what I'm here for.