Hi everyone,
I’m Tobias, and I’m new here definitely not under the circumstances I ever imagined, but I’m really grateful this community exists.
Earlier this month I was diagnosed with stage IV oral squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor is along the floor of my mouth and has reached the base of my tongue, and there are lymph nodes involved as well. Things moved fast after the biopsy. I’ve already met with the head & neck oncology team, and because of the advanced stage, the plan is pretty aggressive: a larger resection, an extensive neck dissection, and then radiation combined with chemo afterward. Hearing all of that laid out still doesn’t feel fully real like they’re talking about someone else.
I’m in my late 30s, otherwise healthy, so this hit me out of nowhere. Some moments I’m calm and focused, and the next minute the fear just sneaks up again. I’m especially worried about speech, swallowing, and how life will look after treatment. If anyone here has gone through stage IV oral cancer, or anything similar, I’d really appreciate any advice or just hearing your experience.
Outside of cancer life, I’m a graphic designer. I love photography, long coffee walks, and messing around with old guitars. I’m based in Munich, and honestly the only thing helping me stay grounded right now is getting outside for fresh air whenever my mind starts spinning.
I’m here to learn from people who’ve already walked this road. Thank you for having me, and I’m looking forward to getting to know some of you.