Hello all. I was diagnosed with tongue cancer when I was 27 years old. I had surgery and three months later I discovered a tumor in my neck. I had a radical neck dissection followed by radiation therapy.

It has been 11 years since I finished my treatment at SKCC in NYC and I am fine. I have my paranoias and go to check ups more than I need but nobody could say by looking at me that I went through all that. Unless of course they get really close and look at the scars in my neck. It took me a while to improve my speech after the partial glossectomy but I speak well although there was a change. I have limited movement of my left arm and sometimes I get ugly spasms between my neck and my shoulder, especially during periods when I don't work out.

I met two other young women that had cancer but they both died unfortunately. I guess I was very lucky because my cancer was caught in time and because I was treated in such a wonderful hospital by a brilliant doctor who did a marvelous job on my neck. It was quite an experience and it certainly changed my life and my perspective.

Veron - It is so encouraging to hear such a positive outcome. Thanks for sharing your story with us. My son is a little over 7 months post treatment and doing very well, although he also gets the neck spasms. He's been trying to include foods containing potassium to help with that. The was a post recently about the success of Botox to eliminate the neck spasms. If you haven't already seen it, it is under the forum topic "After Treatment Issues" Just click on that and then go to the topic " Positive response to Botox injection". So glad you've joined us.

Veron, thank you so much for posting about your 11 years, thus far, survival of this terrible cancer. For the many newly diagnosed people who come here, it is a bright ray of hope to hear from people who have lived very well so many years beyond treatment. Congratulations, and I wish you many decades more. When I was having rad, I mentioned to the doc that I planned to live to be a feisty old woman of 87. His response was "Why only 87?" and I think he had a good point. Thanks again for your hope-giving post.

Veron,

Thanks for sharing your story. It is great to hear how well you have done. Like Joanna said you are an inspiration to others here that need to hear stories like yours.

God Bless & keep posting
Diane

Veron, thank you so much for sharing your story. We definitely need to hear good news like that. Thanks for posting....Carol

Vernon,

Thank you for the 11 year update...what a wonderful thing to read!!!!

Thanks for reinforcing hope, 11 years is great.

Tim

Good to hear from you...as a recent survivor myself I would certainly attest to the benefits of early detection....and for that I really ought to thank my wonderful fiancee....if it wasnt for her..........

Now I am back at work after a month and pleased to I hope be of some help to people here too!!


Take care and may you stay cancer free!!

Way To Go Veron.....

Veron
Thats what I like to hear. I had the same thing.
Just had all my teeth pulled. My right arm is messed up alittle, but can still pick my nose.
This cancer brings so much doom and gloom it was very nice to hear your story.