A friend at work gave me the article today from the CBS web site and I found this site. Until a couple weeks ago I had not tried to find out about much of what has happened with me. I had no risk factors for tounge cancer but within 6 months of an ulcer that would not go away I ended up with Stage 2 tounge cancer, a radical neck dissection taking 24 lymph nodes with 2 that the cancer had moved to and radiation 36 treatments that were horrible. I guess I have been to scared to ask more questions on my own other than to my ENT and the Cancer doctor. I guess I am at the how did I get this stage. I have been looking at more sites and trying to see what the stats are for reoccurance as well as other folks stories. I have had good visits with my ENT since I ended radiation in May. I am very thankful for that. I guess I am just trying to find out all that I can. I have felt like I was in a boat all by myself. This looks like a great place to help me.

Hi, Karla, Glad you got the info to find OCF. #1. it will show you that you are NOT alone. #2. You will find lots of people who care and will share with you whatever you want to ask about. Please tell us more about how you feel now [any problems- more questions?-what you are thinking about "in those wee small hours of the morning"]-. Please don't feel isolated because you have lots of experienced and knowledgeable friends here and we want to share and help. Amy in the Ozarks

Hi Karla and welcome to OCF! We, too, are in North Carolina...and there are others of us here who are your 'neighbors'...Know that we are ALL here to support one another. Please tell us more about your situation. If you will read our 'signature' lines, you will learn a little about each of us who responds.

Lois & Buzz (in Troy, NC)

Hi Karla and welcome.

You're definitely NOT in the boat by yourself. Many of us have walked the same path you're on now. Feel free to jump in and ask questions!

Kevin

I have just been reading thru different postings and looking at all the variations of this cancer, it is amazing. I never realized. I feel like I have been living in a bubble. I never dreamed so many people have such simlar yet very different situaions. I think my sitation just hit me a few weeks ago. I did everything the surgery the treatment without even thinking it thru and now it is just catching up, its like I have post tramtic stress disorder or something. My son had such a terrible reaction to my sitation that I couldn't focus on my issues but on him and I did a poor job at that. He is finally getting back to semi normal and it is all sinking in. Just hearing all the stories it is just amazing till you live it you just don't know. I kept thinking all thru the radiation how big a baby I was being. I worked thru half and could not take it anymore, not with my son falling apart and me feeling so horrible. I just keep thinking what if it comes back as it has in so many others. I know that is borrowing trouble but hey its how I feel. Is there something I should insist on with the docs to check on and make sure? Are the reoccurance percentages that high? I have asked about a CA-125, are there other tests that anyone has found good results. Doctors are great but you guys are what proves things works. I work for a lab so testing is free so anything goes as far as I'm concerned. Thank you guys for replying, it is great to know someone is listening. By the way Lois and Buzz, I am in Burlington.

Karla


I think many of us go through the motions and it hits us later .. I know that is what happened to me . Yea My kids lived in the moment but I didn't . It was when it was all over , I was like OMG what Just happened and AM I going to have to do it again and how soon and how can I stop it and how will I know .. and so on and so forth .

I have to say that this site has been a godsend and helped me through many of sleepless nights whether it was to post my fears and or concerns on hear or just read someone elses. Or just knowing I wasn't the only person in the world walking down this path.

So welcome to a group of people whom will become like a 2nd family to you and be there to hold your hand and walk beside you every step of the way !!

Shar

Karla, I'm thinking that most folks here would tell you to be vigilant about what is going on in your mouth, neck, etc. After radiation many things can crop up to cause problems. Always get any potential issue checked immediately. You will, no doubt, worry about all of this for a while, but try to keep that worry in a place where it does not interfere with your life going forward. It sounds like you have done really well so far and that you are strong. This is a good, SAFE place to vocalize your feelings, so keep posting. Amy in the Ozarks