I am soon going to Mayo to have my surgical biopsy for possible base of tongue/lingual tonsil cancer. I am trying to be strong but also gather as much information beforehand so in the event I get the diagnosis I do not want to hear, I have my facts correct and can know what questions to ask immediately.
I have read as much as I can on this site (spent many hours) and I am so touched by all the information that you have shared with one another and how much support there is. I have a very hard question to ask and I know the answers may by harder for you. I have seen where so many of you end up with
'quality of life' issues following your treatments. Some of you have lost your ability to eat, to swallow, have lost your teeth, your tongues, and worse. Is this what ALL endure following their choice to have treatment? Does anyone go back to their 'before cancer' comfort without all these issues and these are worst case scenarios? I am so sorry if these questions will upset anyone and thank you so much for your honesty. You are all in my prayers for all the
challenges you have endured. Thank you so very much.

Hi Pamy, I don;t have much experience or knowledge yet. My mom has had a needle biopsy and a PET scan, though, and we know that she has malignant tumors, including a large mass at the BOT. She be going in for some exploratory surgery in Monday and after that, we will learn treatment recommendations. We know that she will be having radiation and chemo (the tumor is quite large); what else, we don't know yet. There's so much that we don't know, it seems. This is I do know:

-people's reaction to chemo and radiation varies greatly in both the short and long terms. It's also greatly impacted by where the tumors are and the radiation is directed.

-the tumor size and location determines whether surgery is necessary in the beginning. The response to treatment will determine whether surgery is necessary later.

This is what our doctors has said what people here have also written about. As for my family, we are taking it a day (and test) at a time.

After the exploratory surgery, mom's 3 doctors will meet and update the tumor board. We hope to learn their recommendation on April 10 or 11. Mom is already booked for chemo and radiation on April 22, but that can change if surgery happens. Or for other reasons, probably. Who knows?! It's a waiting game for us right now. A ton of doctor appointments. Teeth cleaning on Friday. If feels like life is on hold until we hear back after the tumor board.

Fingers crossed that you will have something that's not so bad.
In any case, I wish you the best of luck.

There are MANY members who return to their pre-cancer lives. Many of the members who recover no longer feel the need to use the OCF forum any longer. Some want to distance themselves from the disease so they stay away. Take a look at the Survivor Stories tab. You will see many encouraging accounts of what life holds after OC.

Dont worry so much about "what if" as you have not yet been diagnosed. Hopefully you will NOT have anything seriously wrong and continue on with a happy, healthy life. Worrying wont change the results or do anything positive for you, it just causes unneeded stress. Please be sure to check back in when you find out whats going on. I really hope everything is ok!

Good luck!

I am so glad you are here and thank you so much! I have gotten some good information already which may change my biopsy from Mayo to Univ of Chgo. I have an appt next week. Hopefully I will not have to wait three more weeks. My prayers are with every person on this site. Pam

Hi Pamy,
I just started reading posts on this site in February after my recurrence of SCC of the gum. After my first diagnosis 2 years ago, I only had surgery and was able to return to teaching a few weeks later. This time I had to undergo 6 weeks of radiation after surgery which was more difficult, but I just returned to teaching again after 2 1/2 months off. So to answer your question, yes there is "normal" life after a cancer diagnosis, but your health going into it and a positive attitude going through it, will help to ensure a better outcome, both physically and emotionally. You'll be in my prayers as you await your biopsy results.

Thank you, Karen. My daughter is a teacher and I know she needs to talk all day. If you completed your radiation and can stand up in front of the classroom and teach, then I know there is hope after all. My prayers for a complete remission. Pam