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| Date Entered at Shared Experience: 09/26/2002 |
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MOUTH |
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I am a 42 year old female who was diagnosed with tonque cancer in June of 2002.
I was a smoker and the doctors have said there is a 90% chance that this was the cause of
the cancer.
It Started out as a small ulcer underneath my tongue. I went to my physician 5 times and after
various treatments and much speculation he finally referred me to an ENT specialist.
A biopsy was performed and my biggest fear was confirmed, it was cancer.
Two weeks after the biopsy I had surgery to remove a part of my tongue and a partial
dissection to remove the lymph nodes in my neck as a precautionary measure. A CAT scan
prior to surgery had indicated that the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes, but if it
had spread microscopically the scan would not pick it up. Lucily the pathology reports
showed that the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes. I did not require any further
treatment. It has been three months and I am now back to work. I am very scared that it wil
reoccur. I have not smoked since my surgery but do have a few drinks. I have been taking
a product called coral calcium which is supposed to change your body chemistry from one of
acid to an alkaline \base which supposedly prevents these things from happening. I think
about what has happened to me quite a lot and fear that it will come back. My life will never be
the same. I have to take mild sedatives constantly to keep my anxiety levels down and to
help keep my spirit up.
My neck is still swollen and numb, the bottom of my ears appear to be gradually getting
some feeling but my neck is still numb. I feel hopeless and desparate underneath, but know
that I should be happy that I have such a good prognosis. I am trying to hide these feelings
but can't seem to get past any of this. IOn the physical side I guess my tongue heals more
each day but there is still a hole in my mouthand my tongue looks lopsided. I just wanted
to point out that there is a physical and psychological healing process. I wish I could feel
confident about how things have turned out as I had a great team of physicians andnursing
staff taking care of me and I am grateful for that. |
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I have been going back to the ENT Specialist quite frequently for checkups. |
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My quality of life is good now. I try to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, don't smoke, but love a
drink or two especially on the weekend. |
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