Hello! My husband was diagnosed in April with Stage 1 HPV+ SCC Base of Tongue Cancer with 2 lymph nodes involved. He underwent 35 Radiation sessions, and 3 cycles of chemotherapy. He finished at the end of July 2024. He is 63 and retired. He was also diagnosed with heart failure at the same time when the EchoCardiogram was performed as pre-testing for chemotherapy. He began taking Entresto for abnormal left ejection fraction. It's been very hard these past few months, but I am interested in hearing about how everyone is coping post treatment.

Hello Chickenlady,

I am so sorry for what you and your husband are going through. Thank you for reaching out here. Recovery is different for everyone. Four years ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 SCC on my tongue and went through surgery (removed and rebuilt half my tongue, trache tube for breathing, feeding tube) followed by radiation.

I found recovery from surgery to be faster than that from radiation. I learned to judge my radiation recovery in weeks/months rather than days/weeks. Keeping a journal was quite helpful. If I got frustrated, i could go back and read how life was just a few weeks ago.

Coupling this cancer coaster (felt like a roller coaster of emotions to me) with heart problems - ugh - hard! I kept a spreadsheet of all my key recovery activities - from food, to medicine, to exercises, to caloric intake, yoga, mindfulness, walks, time with loved ones (make myself call or email a friend or family), that love went a long way, time with God, etc. If i hit 90%+ for the day, i would treat myself to a favorite snack or something.

I will share that eventually I was able to speak to random people on the phone and be understood, eat at a restaurant, work again, jog again, surf again, etc. Each step was a small but important piece of my life back. One week, a half mile walk was my best, a couple months later i could jog a mile, etc. It will never be the same (have a lisp, scars, tight neck muscles, pain, etc) but I can also share that my life feels more meaningful today, I am more grateful, more present, etc.

Let us know particulars - hows drinking? eating? speech? social activity? medical team support?

Hello, Thanks for reaching out. My husband is still having a lot of pain from the radiation in his throat. A horrible hacking cough in the morning from phlegm/mucous. He is eating by mouth but its still painful. His taste buds are hit or miss but for the most part he can experience food pretty well. Still low energy. My biggest concern was on the 3 month pet scan last week there is still a spot to the right of the primary that is still registering 4.6 SUV. They said it doesn't look like cancer but its concerning because of the SUV or that its new or residual. He is going tomorrow back to ENT for a scope to get a closer look at the area. I know last time they scoped him the ENT said there was still some redness and irritation in the proximate location of where it lit up. The primary tumor site and lymph node looked good. I'm terrified. Husband is really down right now. He thinks he is going to be the one that doesn't have a good result.

I am sorry to read this. Glad you are top of this latest development. The cycle of fear and unknown post cancer treatment can be brutal. Did you ever see the short article on what it is like to get a cancer diagnosis? This article makes me laugh and cry. Here is a link.

https://www.cancerpal.co.uk/post/what-it-s-really-like-to-receive-a-cancer-diagnosis

I hope you get good news at your appointment. And, hoping someone can offer some experience specific to your current challenge. Please update us as you work through this.

Stay safe and keep the faith,
Nels